Michelle Obama is shunning Oprah Winfrey because she hates “fat people”, according to a controversial new book.
The sensational claims appear in The Amateur, a new book about Barack Obama’s presidency written by Edward Klein, the former editor-in-chief of New York Times Magazine.
Klein says Michelle avoids Oprah’s phone calls and refused to let her get involved with her national campaign against childhood obesity because she thought the talk show queen was too fat to give nutritional advice.
“Oprah, with her yo-yo dieting and huge girth, is a terrible role model,” Michelle is quoted as telling a staff member. “Kids will look at Oprah, who’s rich and famous and huge, and figure it’s okay to be fat.”
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Oprah was reportedly furious with Michelle’s remarks, and told her long-time friend Gayle King: “Michelle hates fat people and doesn’t want me waddling around the White House!”
Klein claims Michelle’s relationship with Oprah began to sour just weeks after Barack won the 2008 US presidential elections and has got steadily worst over the years.
“Michelle is furious that her husband makes late-night calls to Oprah, seeking ideas on how to improve his sinking popularity,” Klein writes. “Michelle thinks he should turn to her, not Oprah, for that kind of advice.”
But if Klein is to be believed, Michelle’s jealousy doesn’t stop with Oprah. The First Lady is reportedly paranoid Barack will cheat on her, so goes to great lengths to ensure he doesn’t have any opportunities for infidelity.
Michelle reportedly has a habit of showing up at Barack’s office unannounced to check he is there, and of having friends and staff watch women the president shows any interest in.
“Michelle is very jealous, I would say unusually so,” a source told Klein. “Most people after years of marriage have trust and don’t follow their husbands around and check on them.
“Michelle doesn’t seem to trust Barack at all. She insists on knowing his every movement and drops in on him at all kinds of odd times.
“Michelle makes it clear to her inner circle…that she wants women around Barack watched and wants info about who he has an eye for and gets touchy with.”
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Klein’s claims are at odds with Michelle and Barack’s public image. The couple appear to be extremely happy and secure in their relationship and are often photographed hugging and kissing.
Likewise, Michelle and Oprah appear to be excellent friends, with the First Lady chatting animatedly with her at public events and appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show last year.
Your say: Do you think authors should stop writing salacious books about respected public figures like the Obamas and the royal family?
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