Michelle Obama and First Lady Jill Biden have maintained a close public friendship, but behind the scenes, their relationship has faced significant strain, largely due to issues surrounding Hunter Biden. According to Page Six, the rift began with Hunter Biden’s divorce from Kathleen Buhle, who had developed a strong bond with Michelle Obama during Barack Obama’s presidency.
According to Axios, The 2017 divorce filing shocked many, as Buhle accused Hunter of spending vast amounts of money on “drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs, and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations.” Michelle Obama was reportedly disturbed by how the Bidens treated Buhle post-divorce. While former President Barack Obama publicly supported Joe Biden during his presidential campaign, Michelle was notably absent from many events and political campaigns.
In a 2022 CNN interview, when asked about endorsing Joe Biden for another term, Michelle responded, “You know … I will have to see. It’s a personal decision that he and his family have to make,” indicating her uncertainty about supporting Biden for another term.
An insider commented on the complex dynamics, stating, “[S]he is friends with Kathleen and with the Bidens. Two things can be true.” Andrew Bates, a White House representative, emphasized, “The Biden and Obama families are like family to one another.” The relationship between Buhle and Michelle also extends to their children. Reports suggest that Buhle grew close to Sasha and Malia Obama, with sources noting that “Maisy Biden, Kathleen’s youngest daughter, [is] particularly tight with Sasha Obama.”
In her memoir, “The Light We Carry,” Michelle highlighted the significance of her friendship with Buhle, writing, “[T]hey help me vent, they help me see myself. They give me laughter and love.” Kathleen Buhle, in her memoir “If We Break,” recounted her experiences with Hunter Biden and the rumors of his extramarital affair with his sister-in-law.
She wrote, “Whether or not I’m questioned, I couldn’t be of any help. I kept my head so deeply buried in the sand of our finances. I have forgiven him, yes. Anger is such a heavy weight to carry and I was in a lot of pain. There was a lot that happened that was very hard for me. And when I made the decision to divorce, I wanted to let go of all of that.” The strained relationship between Michelle Obama and Jill Biden underscores the complexities of personal and political alliances, especially when intertwined with public scandals and familial loyalties.