In a surprising twist, former First Lady Michelle Obama has reportedly declined to campaign for President Joe Biden, and the reason is tied to the Biden family's treatment of Hunter Biden's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle.
Michelle's Loyalty to Buhle
During her husband's administration, Michelle Obama and Kathleen Buhle developed a close friendship, one that has remained strong over the years.
According to a new report from Axios, Michelle's close friendship has empowered her to quietly voice disapproval of how Buhle has been treated by the Biden family.
Controversial Testimony
Buhle made headlines when she testified in court during her ex-husband Hunter Biden's gun trial. This wasn't the first time she clashed with the Biden family. Her divorce filings in 2017 and a tell-all book published in 2022 revealed graphic details about Hunter's drug use and penchant for prostitutes.
In her book, Buhle didn't hold back, describing Hunter's attempts to hide his drinking problem and his anger when confronted about it. Buhle also described how she discovered his affair with his brother's widow, Hallie Biden.
Biden Family Backlash
Known for circling the wagons when it comes to their proverbial black sheep, the Biden family was reportedly not pleased with Buhle's decision to go public with these personal details. They opposed the publication of her book, which painted an unflattering picture of an isolated and insular family. (RELATED: Biden's Debate Blunders Were Bad, Jill's Actions Were Worse)
Buhle's Side of the Story
Buhle's supporters argue that her book was a response to Hunter Biden's own memoir, which shared intimate details about their marriage and his struggles with addiction. They also add she had every right to share her side of the story.
Biden's team says the relationship between the families is strong, pointing to public displays of camaraderie that continue today. But the sources told Axios that the relationship changed in 2015.
That was when then-Vice President Biden was weighing a presidential run, and President Obama was not encouraging it.
It also was the year Biden's son Beau died of cancer, setting off years of tumult within the family that included Hunter Biden and Buhle's divorce in 2017.
Driving the news: This year Barack Obama has attended fundraisers and appeared in videos for President Biden's re-election effort, but Obama has done so solo, without his popular spouse.
While Barack frequently mentions Biden on social media, Michelle only shared Biden's reelection announcement in April of 2023.
The reluctance of one of the Democratic Party's most popular figures to campaign for Joe Biden highlights the deep rift caused by ongoing drama in the Biden family.
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