FACT CHECK: Does Video Show Barack Obama Referring To His Wife As Michael?
A video shared on Twitter allegedly shows former President Barack Obama referring to his wife, Michelle, as “Michael.”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙈 pic.twitter.com/GbSVi9WAWo
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) May 23, 2023
Verdict: Misleading
The video has been taken out of context. In the full video, Obama is seen referring to Mike Mullen’s son, Michael, and not his wife.
Fact Check:
Obama is among 500 U.S. citizens who is to be banned from Russia in response to U.S. sanctions, according to The Guardian. This move was a result of the U.S. refusing to give visas to media traveling with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the United Nations last month, Reuters reported.
The Twitter video claims to show Obama referring to his wife as Michael. The video shows Obama speaking at a podium outside with text reading “Trump 2024” at the bottom. “Michael and I also want to acknowledge,” the video shows Obama saying, lacking context.
The post is lacking context, however. The clip was taken from a speech Obama in September 2011 gave during the “Change of Office” ceremony for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was Mike Mullen at the time.
The clip used in the Twitter post can be viewed around the 13:09 timestamp. “Most of all, Admiral Mullen, Deborah, Michael, and I also want to also acknowledge your son Jack, who’s deployed today. All of you have performed extraordinary service to our country,” Obama says in the full clip.
He is referring to Mullen’s son, Michael, who he also mentions earlier in the video at the 1:04 timestamp. (RELATED: No, Obama Did Not Pose In Front Of Satanic Artwork)
Check Your Fact has reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
This is not the first time users online claimed Obama referred to his wife as Michael. Check Your Fact previously debunked of Obama saying “I walk with my husband Michael and hold hands,” claiming he was referring to Michelle.