Friends of the Obamas are worried about having to "pick sides" as rumors of divorce keep brewing.
The political couple's Hollywood friends are in "wait and see" mode, insiders told RadarOnline, as speculation about their marriage reaches a "fever pitch."
Of course, both Barack and Michelle are known to have big egos, and a divorce between them could quickly turn into a bruising political war.
Their reluctance to publicly confront concerns about their marriage has only added to anxiety in their Hollywood social circle.
"It's making their famous friends in Hollywood nervous," one of RadarOnline's sources said.
Barack's actor friends include George Clooney, who famously pressured Joe Biden to end his re-election bid last year, while Michelle is close with Ellen DeGeneres.
"The part that gets tricky is if the hypothetical split becomes acrimonious," RadarOnline's source said.
"Nobody wants to get on either of the Obamas' enemies list – but you can't rule out the possibility of that happening."
“All of their Hollywood pals are very much in wait-and-see mode.”
While the Obamas normally put on a united front, Michelle Obama notably dodged President Jimmy Carter's state funeral in January. She also skipped President Trump's inauguration days later.
"Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration," her office said at the time.
Obama's absence from such high-profile events set tongues wagging - and Barack Obama's apparent efforts at damage control have only made things worse.
The former president shared an awkward post on his wife's birthday that showed the couple holding hands on opposite sides of a dining table, fueling more gossip about their relationship status.
President Obama captioned the photo with a gushing message, as his wife replied succinctly, “Love you, honey!"
Many of Michelle Obama's recent social media posts have focused on promoting her personal brand, including her new self-help book.
However, she did share a Valentine's Day message in response to another loving note from her husband last week.
“If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, @BarackObama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” she wrote.
Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentine’s Day, @MichelleObama! pic.twitter.com/wiIJ0kstRm
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 14, 2025
