Amid the online speculation that former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, are headed for divorce, a body language expert has revealed that the couple showed 'no active signs of togetherness' during their last public outing.
Rumors erupted that the former first couple's marriage was on the rocks after it was revealed that Michelle, 60, would not be attending Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony with her husband, 63, on Monday.
Michelle was also noticeably absent from former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on January 9 due to a 'scheduling conflict.'
In fact, the last time the pair was seen together was in early mid-December, over a month ago, when they stepped out to enjoy an intimate dinner in Los Angeles.
Now, UK-based body language expert Judi James has analyzed their movements throughout the dinner date exclusively for DailyMail.com, and said Barack looked 'rather somber' during the outing.
She also pointed out that he 'walked behind his wife' rather than next to her, and that there was 'no sign of any chatting or coupling up between them' as they left the restaurant, even after they got into their waiting vehicle together.
Photos from the evening show Michelle smiling at cameras as she headed out of the popular celebrity hotspot Mother Wolf - her husband trailed behind, with a more serious expression.
After they got into their car, Michelle's smile faded, and they were both seen starring ahead as they sat side by side.
Amid the speculation that former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama (seen in 2015), are headed for divorce, a body language expert has analyzed their last public outing
The last time the pair was seen together was in early mid-December, over a month ago, when they stepped out to enjoy an intimate dinner in Los Angeles
'[Barack] looks rather somber here but otherwise relaxed as he walks behind his wife, who sports the kind of wide, beaming smile with downward-pointing eye-gaze that suggests a coy kind of happiness,' Judi said.
'Sitting together in the car they both stare ahead in the photo but this is a common celebrity response if the paparazzi are lighting up the sky outside.'
Now, UK-based body language expert Judi James has analyzed their movements throughout the dinner date
However, she also noted, 'There is no sign in that shot of any chatting or coupling up between them.'
The expert added that while Michelle looked 'relaxed and happy' on their walk to the car, they had 'no active signals of togetherness,' despite being in public.
'Michelle looks relaxed and happy walking to the car but there are no active signals of togetherness for the cameras, with Barack himself wearing a more serious or dour expression as he walks behind his wife,' she explained.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Barack and Michelle for comment.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama told Associated Press this week in a statement, 'Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.'
Between that announcement and her absence at Jimmy's funeral, some fans of the political power couple have become concerned that there may be trouble in paradise.
She pointed out that there was 'no sign of any chatting or coupling up between them' as they left the restaurant, even after they got into their waiting vehicle together
Rumors erupted that the former first couple's marriage was on the rocks after it was revealed that Michelle, 60, would not be attending Donald Trump 's inauguration ceremony
'I'm calling it, the Obamas are getting a divorce,' wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
Another posted: 'An Obama divorce would not be on my 2025 predictions but it might happen.'
'[Michelle] and Obama are on the outs. They are getting a divorce. She doesn't want to be around him,' someone else said.
'Sounds like an Obama divorce is on the horizon, we've all seen it, they stop attending functions together,' a fourth tweet read.
However, there were some who dismissed the rumor and instead suggested Michelle was only making a political statement.
'I don't know anything about their marriage, but it's very clear to me that Michelle Obama is making a very specific *political* statement with these absences,' one X user wrote.
'She would never choose Jimmy Carter's funeral to announce her divorce. Let's be sensible here.'
Another agreed, 'Michelle Obama is in mourning/grieving the loss of her mom… On top of her not being a political figure and you all believe a TikTok about her and Barack getting a divorce because she missed a funeral and won't attend a felon's inauguration.'
Michelle was also noticeably absent from former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on January 9 due to a 'scheduling conflict'
Between the announcement and her absence at Jimmy's funeral, some fans of the political power couple have become concerned that there may be trouble in paradise
However, there were some on X who dismissed the rumor and instead suggested Michelle was only making a political statement
A source told Page Six that Michelle didn't want to attend Donald's inauguration because she didn't want to 'be fake.'
'She's never been fake and she's never been phony,' a source told the publication.
'She's always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up. She showed up reluctantly for the election.
'They were united, but she doesn't have to unify around [Trump]. She doesn't have to say anything. Her absence speaks volumes.'
The couple, who first met in 1989 when they both worked at a law firm in Chicago, married in 1992.
They welcomed their first daughter, Malia, six years later in 1998, and their second daughter, Sasha, in 2001.
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles, with Michelle previously describing the 'resentment' she had over having to put her career on hold to be a mother while Barack's continued to flourish.
She explained during an episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast in September 2020 that she was doing most of the work when it came to taking care of their daughters, which made her feel like she and Barack were no longer a 'unit.'
The couple, who first met in 1989 when they both worked at a law firm in Chicago, married in 1992
They welcomed their first daughter, Malia, six years later in 1998, and their second daughter, Sasha, in 2001
'I would not trade [my daughters] in, but whew, they can mess up a marriage,' she said.
'I had to be there [taking care of the kids], and my husband was still sort of boppin' around, living his life.'
'The resentment starts to build up, or it started to. It’s like, well, what happened to the unit, what happened to my best friend?
'What happened to my buddy, who’s at the gym? It’s like, how the Hell are you at the gym? You know, dude … I’ve got cabbage on my breast.'
Unfortunately, tensions only grew during their time in the White House - thanks to the immense 'pressure' that came with 'needing to get everything right and be "on" at every moment,' as well as Barack's focus on his work rather than his family.
But even at their worst, Barack explained to The Breakfast Club that they never let their arguments turn too ugly - and that they always 'respected' one another.
And he made it clear that even when they would fight, he never considered a divorce.
'We were pretty good even when things were tough, we never loss basic respect for the other person,' he shared.
'We never thought that person was a bad person. We never said things that would make it seem that you completely disrespect me.
'It was more, "I love you, Barack, but this is driving me crazy," or, "I respect you, but..." I think that's what kept us 'cause we never doubted each other's intentions.
'Michelle is a remarkable woman. Even if she drives me crazy sometimes, I never thought that there was anybody who I would rather be with.'
