Obama, Beyonce and the Anticipation of the Scandal

The effect of the bombshell lasted a couple of hours. Then it deflated in the anticipation — or the hope — of a matrimonial scandal exploding at the White House. There are those that have said for some time that Barack and Michelle Obama are not happy in their marriage, but apart from some popular magazines, nobody had the courage to hit them where it hurts. Pascal Rostaing did it. He is a famous French paparazzo who said in an interview said that, “The Washington Post will publish one photo that shows the existence of a romantic relationship between Barack Obama and Beyonce.” For a couple of hours, the accusations of Rostaing, who has uncovered various scoops in his lifetime, kickstarted the entire media world — at least in Europe.

Then came the denial from The Washington Post. “We do not occupy ourselves with these things,” said a source from the paper. Following that, Rostaing took half a step back. “Maybe I had misunderstood,” he said. “I meant that a group of journalists, at least as far as I know, are working on this story.” “It is the most ridiculous thing that we have heard all day,” stated the Huffington Post. For the site, it means another urban legend against Obama. After having accused him of being a Muslim, after having doubted that he was born on U.S. territory, now arrives the accusation of him being a cheater.

Obama with Beyonce? A pure fantasy.

Obama and Michelle’s Marriage

It’s like this: The singer was a guest at both of Obama’s inauguration ceremonies in 2009 and 2013 and recently participated in Michelle’s 50th birthday party at the White House. She, like Oprah Winfrey, is part of the glamorous world of VIP African-Americans who have been at home in the halls of the White House since the Obamas have lived on Pennsylvania Avenue. There are plenty of photographs that depict the two together, or the three of them, if you include Michelle. A true relationship of friendship and respect. This alone could rid any doubt that there is a possible relationship between the president and the beautiful singer.

It’s true that in the past we have seen JFK and Marilyn Monroe; it is true that only a few days ago there were accusations — which were immediately denied by those involved—that Bill Clinton had had a relationship with Liz Hurley, the actress who was Hugh Grant’s wife at the time of the alleged affair; but it is also true that Barack Obama seems to be a different kind of man — even if he has been seen sensationally flirting with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thornin-Schmidt during the Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in Soweto or, more recently, making public compliments about the beauty of a Californian Democratic Party candidate.

If Obama is, potentially, a different kind of man, this does not mean that his marriage is not in rough waters at the moment. The rumors regarding him and Michelle separating at home have been going on for a while. After the episode in South Africa, according to magazines, the first lady requested a divorce. The rope was pulled too tight. The vacation period that Michelle took alone in Hawaii, after Barack and the children returned to Washington after the holidays, did nothing but feed suspicions that there is a breakage between the two.

Separated at Home?

To erase all doubts, Obama kissed Michelle in front of the cameras when she returned from her vacation. The other night, he took her out for dinner to a restaurant in the capital. But these gestures have not ridden the impression that something has broken between the two and that this has been going on for a while. The role of first lady has never been Michelle’s true aspiration. She’s a strong and independent woman, unwilling to stay in Washington for eight years, longing for an ordinary life with her daughters and suffering with regard to personal choices — and from the impact on her private life as a result of her husband’s political errors.

Tired of this situation and worn out by the impossibility of having her own life — she was an accomplished lawyer — Michelle, the papers say, has already decided to divorce Barack while remaining under the same roof (the White House) until the end of the second term to avoid ruining the presidency and legacy of her husband.

In this context, which nobody has ever denied, it is easy for an accusation like that of Pascal Rostaing to garner interest and be taken seriously. With all probability, his information was not exact, but there is the impression that the photographer spoke from his experience of hunting couples in crisis or new-found loves. The French paparazzo describes a sort of palpable coldness between Barack and Michelle. This seems evident to many other observers. Beyonce or no Beyonce, the Obamas do not seem happy in the White House.