Malia Obama Hit with Damning Accusation as Rumors of Her Parents Divorcing Swirl [WATCH]

The Obama family has long been a focal point of public fascination and media scrutiny.

But in recent months, the former First Family has found itself at the center of intensifying speculation—and now, new controversy.

As rumors of a potential divorce between Barack and Michelle Obama continue to circulate, a fresh allegation has emerged involving their eldest daughter, Malia Obama.

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The 26-year-old is being accused of plagiarizing a fellow filmmaker’s work in her recent Nike commercial project.

Rising Tension for the Obamas

Reports have swirled in recent months that Barack, 63, and Michelle Obama, 61, are living “separate lives,” with whispers of divorce gaining momentum. The couple, who married in 1992 and share daughters Malia and Sasha, have not publicly addressed the split rumors in detail.

However, Michelle’s absence from high-profile political events earlier this year—such as the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Donald Trump—only fueled speculation.

Her decision to skip both occasions, while every other living former First Lady attended at least one, raised eyebrows.

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Adding weight to the speculation was political commentator Meghan McCain, who said on Tara Palmeri’s podcast, Somebody’s Gotta Win, “I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people… I’m not talking about TMZ… I’m talking about like very serious journalists.”

Palmeri herself confirmed, “We’ve heard that for a long time… I just heard that they live separate lives.”

Michelle has attempted to quash the rumors publicly, but her frequent criticisms of Barack on her podcast IMO have done little to dispel the growing buzz. Now, with their daughter Malia under fire, the Obama family faces even more unwanted attention.

Plagiarism Allegation Against Malia

Amid this family turmoil, Malia Obama has found herself entangled in a controversy that could impact her budding career in the entertainment industry.

Independent filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris has accused Malia of plagiarizing key elements from her short film Grace in a new Nike commercial.

The commercial, titled “Teaching The Pro,” features WNBA star A’ja Wilson learning a complex game of “pat-a-cake” from a young girl.

I’m just going to leave this here.

This is my indie short film, “Grace,” next to Malia Obama’s @Nike x @_ajawilson22 commercial

It’s devastating, but at least you can (hopefully) see that this is about much more than just pat-a-cake…. pic.twitter.com/71m0H5n84z

— Natalie Jasmine Harris (@nataliejharris) May 12, 2025

According to Harris, the scene—particularly its camera angles, framing, color palette, and the use of cinematic tools—mirrors a pivotal moment in her film Grace, which centers around a young girl’s baptism and her emotional turmoil surrounding her feelings for a close friend.

“Initially, I was disappointed and hurt—not just for myself but for my entire team,” Harris, 27, told Business Insider.

She emphasized that her frustration stems not just from artistic similarities, but from the broader systemic issue of overlooked talent in the film industry.

“If they wanted these shots that were similar to my shots, why not hire me to direct?” Harris asked pointedly.

A Deeper Industry Issue

Harris said she met Malia at multiple events during the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where both Grace and Malia’s short film Heart were featured.

According to Harris, big brands like Nike continue to elevate prominent names while bypassing less established yet equally talented filmmakers.

Been sitting with this for a while. My Sundance short film GRACE (shot brilliantly by Tehillah de Castro) was made with deep love and care. The social cut of the new @Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama (who was also at Sundance my year) feels shockingly similar to my work… pic.twitter.com/iy2N2krpQN

— Natalie Jasmine Harris (@nataliejharris) May 6, 2025

“The route that used to work for the Spike Lees and Steven Spielbergs of the world feels less viable today,” Harris explained. “If we’re continuously overlooked, how is the next generation of filmmakers going to exist?”

So far, neither Malia nor Nike has publicly addressed Harris’s accusations. Fox News reached out for comment, but received no response. Harris, however, stands firm in her decision to speak out.

“I’ve poured too much into my work to just sit by and watch,” she said.

The Road Ahead

Malia, a Harvard graduate and former intern at HBO’s Girls, has steadily worked her way into the creative arts world.

Her involvement in this Nike campaign marked a significant step forward for her professionally. But these allegations may complicate her ascent in an industry that is already competitive and cutthroat.

As for the Obamas, this new controversy lands at an especially sensitive time.

Meghan McCain spills on Obama divorce rumors amid claims they ‘live separate lives pic.twitter.com/8tR3d3eQAt

— Simo Saadi🇺🇸🇲🇦 (@Simo7809957085) January 23, 2025

The combination of Malia’s plagiarism accusation and the persistent divorce rumors surrounding Barack and Michelle places a heavy spotlight on a family already navigating life after the White House.

Public silence from the Obamas on both matters only intensifies the speculation.

Whether Malia responds to the accusation or chooses to remain quiet, the outcome will likely shape perceptions of her career trajectory moving forward.

Meanwhile, the public waits to see if the once-unshakable Obama image can weather yet another storm.

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