“How many of you still don't know that Michelle Obama was born Michael Lavaughn Robinson and is a man?”
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Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17, 2020.
No, Michelle Obama is not a transgender woman
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has been vocal in her support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris ahead of the Nov. 3 election. But her campaigning for the Democratic candidates has once again made Obama the target of online misinformation.
One Facebook post revived gender-focused claims about Obama that have circulated online for years.
"How many of you still don't know that Michelle Obama was born Michael Lavaughn Robinson and is a man?" the post asks.
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
There is no evidence that the former first lady was assigned male at birth or ever named "Michael."
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The lack of evidence for the claims hasn’t stopped several people with large platforms from saying Obama is a transgender woman. Alex Jones, host of a conspiracy-focused talk show, has repeatedly pushed these claims on his show.
In 2017, he released a 12-minute video during which he analyzed photos and videos that he believed proved Obama was a transgender woman.
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Our ruling
A Facebook post asks, "How many of you still don't know that Michelle Obama was born Michael Lavaughn Robinson and is a man?"
There is no evidence Obama is a transgender woman or was named "Michael" at birth.
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Our Sources
Facebook post, Aug. 18, 2020
YouTube, "Michelle Obama's Closing Argument | Joe Biden For President 2020," Oct. 6, 2020
PinkNews, "Right-wingers are spreading rumours that Michelle Obama is trans – again – and it all stems back to this failed Republican congressional candidate," May 18, 2020
The Independent, "'Michelle Obama is transgender, we all know it': Alex Jones claims he has 'proof' the former First Lady is a man," Aug. 25, 2017
CNN, "Joan Rivers jokes Obama is gay, first lady is transgender," Oct. 20, 2014
The Chicago Tribune, "Michelle Obama's burden — and ours," July 26, 2017
PinkNews, "Conspiracy theorist claims Michelle Obama is transgender and we’re so very, very tired," Jan. 7, 2020
Black Youth Project, "On The Blatant Racism of Garrison’s Political Cartoon of Michelle Obama," May 19, 2016
BuzzFeed News, "As A Black Woman, I'm Tired Of Having To Prove My Womanhood," Feb. 27, 2018
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No, Michelle Obama is not a transgender woman
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