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Michelle Obama has been known to tease her husband Barack Obama, and she just did it again in the funniest, low-key way. During an interview with Jennifer Hudson, as shared on X, formerly Twitter, the former FLOTUS was asked, "Who's the hardest to shop for?" Michelle immediately named Barack, and with a roll of her eyes, she stated, "I mean, he's just a boy, you know? I mean, he just doesn't do much. He golfs and there's only so many golf balls you can get a dude." The mom of two went on to bemoan how her husband complains if she buys him expensive items and shared, "I'm trying to like, get him clothes that he wouldn't buy, you know. Because he's also cheap."
.@MichelleObama keeps it real talking about the holidays! pic.twitter.com/C2x3AShIN0
— The Jennifer Hudson Show (@JHudShow) December 17, 2024
Barack may not appreciate designer clothes, but he did give his wife of over 30 years a shout-out for an incredibly thoughtful present in 2020. "For Christmas, Michelle surprised me with this drawing of the 12th hole at Augusta National by the terrific artist, @ValentinoDixon. It's an incredible piece, but the story behind it is even better," he shared on Instagram. Barack explained that the artist was wrongfully convicted of a crime and given a hefty sentence. While in prison, his uncle encouraged him to keep making art, which got exposure and caught the attention of do-gooders from Georgetown University, who got Dixon freed through The Innocence Project. "I'm so proud to have one of his works to display," Barack wrote. As for gifts, this has to be one of the best he's gotten, and the former POTUS has received plenty over the years.
Barack Obama's favorite gift was a parking pass
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While Barack Obama was in the White House, he got some pretty swanky presents from other officials, which he sadly couldn't keep due to the rules. As reported by BBC, the commander in chief at the time received a gold bejeweled horse statue from King Salman of Saudi Arabia, along with a chronometer and golf set that was worth a total of half a million dollars. That's not all — the emir of Qatar gifted Barack with two clocks shaped like birds valued at over $100,000, and other gifts included expensive Cuban cigars and fancy bicycles.
It seems Michelle Obama was right in saying her husband doesn't like expensive things. In 2016, he was presented with a free parking pass for the United Center by the late former chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, Rocky Wirtz, per NBC News. "It's not only good for Blackhawk games but for any event at the United Center for you and your family," Wirtz told the beaming pres. "This is the best gift I've ever gotten at the White House!" Barack exclaimed. He then joked, "You'd pay for this, wouldn't you? I might sell this on eBay." There you have it — parking passes and paintings are the way to Barack's heart.