Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, disclosed that he initially doubted the longevity of her relationship with Barack Obama, expecting it to last no more than a month. Robinson shared this insight during an episode of their podcast, “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” which also featured Tracee Ellis Ross as a guest discussing dating.
Robinson recounted on the podcast, “And I’ve told this story many times about when you first started dating Barack. So Mich starts to date Barack, and we don’t know who this guy is, we’re just like, Barack? Who’s got a name like Barack? And I’m thinking it’s gonna last a month like most of your relationships,” illustrating his initial skepticism.
The former first lady contested her brother’s portrayal, asserting that she had experienced several long-term relationships before meeting Barack. Robinson, however, brushed off her objection with laughter, suggesting he did not view those past relationships as significant.
Robinson described their mother Marian’s first impression of Barack, noting her admiration for his height. Despite this favorable initial response, Robinson admitted, “And I said to myself, too bad it’s not going to last.”
The conversation took an interesting direction when Robinson mentioned that Michelle had asked him to take Barack to play basketball to evaluate his character. Initially hesitant, Robinson told his sister he didn’t want to do her “dirty work” if Barack turned out to be unsuitable. Nonetheless, he eventually agreed to the basketball assessment.
“This is what I learned,” Robinson explained on the podcast. “Aside from the fact that he is tremendously left-handed so he couldn’t go right at all, most importantly, he was a team player, right? He fit in with the people.”
Robinson’s evaluation of Barack’s character through basketball was influenced by his father’s teaching that a person’s character can be discerned by their behavior in pick-up basketball games. Following their match, Robinson assured Michelle that “everything was fine” with Barack, and subsequently, “the rest was history.”
The podcast episode’s timing is notable, coinciding with ongoing divorce rumors about the Obamas. Speculation grew after Michelle opted not to attend President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year, both of which her husband attended alone.
Michelle addressed these rumors not on her podcast but during an appearance on a podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush. She clarified that her decisions to forgo these events were personal choices, not indicative of marital issues.
Michelle explained to Bush that the two January events coincided with her birthday, and she chose to remain in Hawaii while her husband returned to Washington, D.C. She expressed frustration that people struggled to believe she was making these decisions independently.
Michelle suggested that society often finds it difficult to accept when women make independent choices that defy expected norms. She noted that assumptions of divorce arose because people could not conceive that she was merely making autonomous decisions as an adult woman.
She explained to Bush that women frequently wrestle with disappointing others, sometimes at the expense of their own needs. She elaborated that when women start questioning their motivations and for whom they act, their choices are often perceived negatively if they deviate from societal expectations.
The “IMO” podcast marks a new undertaking for Michelle and her brother Craig, featuring the siblings offering their perspectives and experiences to address listeners’ personal challenges. This format enables them to share candid insights while drawing on their close relationship.
At the start of the episode focused on dating, Michelle expressed her interest in the subject, noting that it had been a long time since she was personally involved in the dating scene. She remarked that she enjoyed discussing dating, even though she hadn’t participated in it for decades, referencing her 32-year marriage to Barack.
Despite stepping back from some public appearances, Michelle has continued her advocacy work. She remains active in speaking engagements and various projects, including a focus on girls’ education. She also delivered a high-profile speech at the Democratic National Convention last year, urging support for Kamala Harris in the presidential election.
The basketball evaluation that Robinson conducted years ago proved a reliable indicator of Barack’s character. The Obamas celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary last year, disproving Robinson’s initial prediction of a short-lived relationship.
Michelle has previously discussed challenges in their marriage, particularly during Barack’s political career and their time in the White House. However, the couple has consistently navigated these difficulties, with Michelle noting in past interviews that they sought marriage counseling when necessary.
Michelle’s decision to miss President Trump’s inauguration in January marked a departure from traditional protocol, where former presidents and their spouses typically attend regardless of party affiliation. However, it is worth noting that both Donald and Melania Trump did not attend Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration, setting a recent precedent for such absences.
