Barack Obama has dispelled rumours of a split from his wife, Michelle, by posting a gushing social media post to celebrate her birthday.
Rumours of a rift between the former president and first lady began to swirl after it was announced that Michelle would not be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, leaving Mr Obama to face the fanfare alone.
The couple have rarely been seen together publicly since they gave speeches at the Democratic Convention five months ago.
Mrs Obama skipped the state funeral of Jimmy Carter earlier this month citing a scheduling conflict. It later emerged that she was on holiday in Hawaii without her husband.
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However, the former president has now put rumours to bed by posting a photo on Instagram of him and his wife having dinner together on her birthday, calling her “the love of my life”.
Mr Obama said: “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it.
“I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!”
The photo showed the Obamas dressed casually and holding hands, while sitting down for dinner in a room lined with bottles of wine.
The loving message comes after Mrs Obama came under attack from Kid Rock over her decision not to attend Mr Trump’s inauguration next week.
The 54-year-old rapper urged the former first lady to put politics aside – as he did when performing at Barack Obama’s inauguration.
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“I would kindly remind her that years back when Obama was first elected, I did not vote for him, but they asked me to play the inauguration, and I played it and I went,” he said on Fox News.
“So, I would kindly remind Miss Michelle about that,” he added, admitting he was puzzled by her decision to snub the ceremony. “I don’t know, she seems a little angry.”
Kid Rock is a vocal Trump supporter and has performed at several of his rallies.
“We need someone in here making sensible decisions,” he said, adding. “We are not electing the deacon of a church here. I want somebody smart who can run this country, keep us safe, run it like a business, and make America great again.”
Mrs Obama, 61, did attend the first Trump inauguration in 2017.
After her decision not to attend Jimmy Carter’s funeral, Mr Obama raised eyebrows by engaging in friendly conversation with Mr Trump at the event.
First ladies attendance
Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush will attend the inauguration, as will Joe and Jill Biden.
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While no reason has been given for Mrs Obama’s absence, she has made little secret of her disdain for Mr Trump, accusing him of racism at last year’s Democratic National Convention.
“For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” Mrs Obama said. “See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be black.”
Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, has also decided to skip Monday’s ceremony, reflecting the legacy of ill-will between some Democrats and the president-elect.
Mrs Obama’s snub is not unprecedented. Mr Trump, who refused to accept his election defeat in 2020, and his wife Melania were absent from Joe Biden’s inauguration four years ago.
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