“Michelle Obama’s mother dies, leaves inheritance to ‘My son Michael.’”
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Satirical story about Michelle Obama’s mother repackaged as real news
If Your Time is short
- This story originated on a satire site. Former first lady Michelle Obama’s mother isn’t dead.
"Are you awake yet…?" asks a recent Instagram post sharing supposed evidence that former first lady Michelle Obama was born male.
"Michelle Obama’s mother dies, leaves inheritance to ‘My son Michael,’’ reads what looks like a news headline in the May 7 post. It appears next to an altered photo of former President Barack Obama with his arm his wife, whose appearance has been doctored to make her look like a man.
This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
The headline isn’t authentic.
Featured Fact-check
It originated on a self-described satire website as early as 2019, and falsely claims, among other things, that Michelle Obama’s mother, Mary McGillicuddy Robinson, died and left her inheritance to her son, "Michael Robinson Obama."
Michelle Obama’s mother is Marian Robinson, not Mary McGillicuddy Robinson, and she’s not dead. And she does have a son but his name is Craig, not Michael; he’s Michelle Obama’s brother.
We rate this post Pants on Fire!
Our Sources
Instagram post, May 7, 2023
Obamawatcher.com, Michelle Obama’s mother dies, leaves inheritance to ‘My son Michael,’ archived Oct. 22, 2019
Obama Foundation, For Mother’s Day, Michelle Obama announces a special honor for her mom Marian Robinson, May 6, 2022
Good Morning America, Michelle Obama says her brother is still their mother's favorite, shares her post-White House bucket list, Nov. 13, 2018
PolitiFact, Image of Michelle Obama is absolutely altered, May 28, 2021
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Satirical story about Michelle Obama’s mother repackaged as real news
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