Michelle Obama has steered clear of campaigning for Joe Biden because of her personal frustration with the family’s treatment of her friend Kathleen Buhle during her messy divorce from Hunter Biden, a new report has found.
The former first lady, one of the most popular figures in the Democratic party, has not posted about the 81-year-old president’s re-election bid.
Buhle and Hunter separated in 2017, and details of the divorce resurfaced when she testified at his recent federal gun trial in Delaware.
Axios reported that Michelle told others that her friend had been wronged by the Biden family, who blamed Buhle for allowing some of the lurid details of Hunter’s behavior to become public.
Michelle Obama is greeted by Senator Joe Biden in the stands of the Pepsi Center during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 in Denver, Colorado
White House spokesman Andrew Bates denied there was any division.
He said: “The Biden and Obama families are like family to each other, and whoever made these claims about that relationship is not privy to it.
“The former President and First Lady have been two of the strongest advocates of President Biden’s leadership and agenda.”
Buhle accused Hunter of squandering his family’s money on drugs, prostitutes and deception while spiraling into a crack cocaine habit.
She and Michelle became friends during the Obama administration, but the dynamic between the Obama and Biden families has changed since then, the report said.
During Obama’s presidency, the two women worked out together at the gym and often drank cocktails at the White House.
They still have a close bond which has reportedly caused friction between Michelle and the Bidens.
Michelle Obama attends the American Symphony New Orleans premiere on December 7, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana
According to the report, former President Obama described the Biden family as “weird s***” after a fundraiser for the Beau Biden Foundation in 2017.
Michelle was initially reluctant to campaign for Joe in 2020, but was eventually persuaded to run when Democrats told her the stakes would be too high if she missed out.
Now her husband has gone solo, appearing at several glitzy fundraisers with Joe.
Joe Biden with Michelle Obama in the stands of the Pepsi Center during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 in Denver, Colorado
A White House spokesman and an Obama representative both denied reports of a rift.
Crystal Carson, a spokesperson for Michelle Obama, said she is friends with both Kathleen and the Bidens.
‘Mrs. Obama has already said she supports the campaign of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“She’s friends with Kathleen and with the Bidens. Two things can be true. On Monday, Dr. Biden graciously joins the family in celebrating the life of Mrs. Marian Robinson.”