Digitally Altered Images of Michelle Obama Appears Masculine

A few weeks ago, former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife endorsed Kamala Harris' nomination for the upcoming Presidential Election. Afterward, an old photo of Michelle Obama with a masculine look surfaced on social media, sparking various reactions. However, a Google Reverse Image search revealed that the photos of Michelle Obama had been digitally altered in the shared posts.

Social Media Claim

A viral old photo depicting former US President Obama with his wife, Michelle Obama, resurfaced on Instagram. The photo received backlash for allegedly suggesting that the former First Lady looked more masculine.

Such photos have been circulated multiple times, eliciting mixed reactions and expressions from users.

The following snapshot captured from the Instagram account above shows former US President Obama standing with Michelle Obama, who appeared masculine.

Instagram Post | Archived Link

Such photos have also been shared and discovered on X (formerly Twitter), leading many other users to question the authenticity of this news. The full confirmation message is provided below.

X Post | Archived Link

The picture above has also garnered attention from other users on Facebook who have viewed it and shared it.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

An X user has recently shared another tweet on their feed, expressing their thoughts on the latest developments in the industry.

X Post | Archived Link

The above two photos have also been found on YouTube, along with a caption implicitly claiming, "Michael Lavon Robinson (Big Mike From The Wood) was the man."

YouTube Link | Archived Link

Given the image has been widely circulated and received significant attention from the internet community, we felt it necessary to fact-check the subject.

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo has begun debunking the above claim and verifying it through reliable sources. The same images have been seen and published on many news websites.

Michelle Obama, like many public figures, has been the subject of various misinformation campaigns and fake news stories, often aiming to spread falsehoods or distortions about her.

The original photo was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by Barack Obama to celebrate Michelle Obama’s 55th birthday. The photo does not depict Michelle Obama as having a very masculine appearance.

The following screenshot is captured from the tweet above that says, "I knew it way back then, and I’m absolutely convinced of it today — you’re one of a kind, @MichelleObama. Happy Birthday!"

X Post | Archived Link

Numerous publications also published articles about the photo on the same day, stating “Obama shared an adorable throwback picture to celebrate Michelle’s 55th birthday”.

Business Insider Link | Archived Link

We have also found another original photo dated December 26, 2014, tweeted by a user named “First Lady-Archived.” The photo does not make her appear more manly at all.

X Post | Archived Link

Below, you can find the images for comparison showing the original version and the altered version.

Photo #1

Photo #2

The photos and cases mentioned above were verified by Reuters on October 13, 2020. It was confirmed that the photo of Michelle Obama in the claim had been altered to make her appear more masculine. In the modified version, her jawline and neck were broadened, which is evident when comparing the two images side by side. A close examination of the altered photo reveals an uneven line on the right side of her neck.

Mrs. Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 during Barack Obama’s presidency, is a prominent public figure, lawyer, and author, with a well-documented personal background and achievements.

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Conclusion

Fact Crescendo found that the above photo posted on social media has been altered. Michelle Obama is biologically female and has given birth to two daughters. The images in the claims above have been digitally edited. The original images depict Michelle's feminine appearance in the photos she took with her husband.