Jennifer Aniston‘s first hand experience with infidelity rumors within her marriage to Brad Pitt influenced her decision to shut down ongoing Barack Obama romance claims, according to sources who say the actress feared that staying silent would only ‘add fuel to the fire’.
Speculation that the Friends star, 55, was romantically linked to the married former president, 63, has been swirling amid rumors that his marriage to Michelle Obama is headed for divorce.
However, a resurfaced clip from October revealed how The Morning Show star denied the claims, with Jennifer telling Jimmy Kimmel at the time that the rumor was ‘absolutely untrue.’
After Michelle, 61, failed to attend both Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump‘s inauguration – leaving Barack to attend solo – the video of Jennifer setting the record straight started recirculating.
Now, insiders have shed light on what made the star choose to break her pattern of refusing to comment on rumors.
‘Jen was going to have her people either not respond or give a “no comment,” but she thought that would add fuel to the fire,’ a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com.
Jennifer Aniston ‘s first hand experience of infidelity rumors within her past marriage to Brad Pitt is why she shut down ongoing Barack Obama romance claims, sources tell DailyMail.com
Speculation that the Friends star was romantically linked to the married former president, 63, has swirled amid rumors that his marriage with Michelle Obama is headed for divorce
‘She decided to shut it down before it could get even more out of hand.’
The insider noted that Jennifer has previously ignored the many surreal claims throughout her career, but knowing the rumors might upset Michelle made her speak up.
‘She barely knows Obama, let alone is dating him,’ the insider continued. ‘She told friends that after all these years of being in the spotlight, this has to be the most bizarre piece of gossip she has ever heard about herself.’
The source added: ‘She truly doesn’t know how people come up with this stuff out of nowhere. More than being concerned about it, she’s totally baffled.
‘However, Jen’s upset for Michelle because she’s seen stories about the Obamas’ marriage being on the rocks and she knows first hand what it is like to be at the center of stories like that.’
DailyMail.com has contacted reps for Jen for comment.
Brad famously ended his marriage to the Horrible Bosses actress in 2005, after meeting Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
In the years that followed, he and Jolie made comments that appeared to confirm that their relationship started while the actor was still married to Jennifer.
The Troy actor and Angelina were then together for 11 years before their marriage came to its own explosive end in 2016.
The source explained: ‘Jen’s upset for Michelle because she’s seen stories about the Obamas’ marriage being on the rocks and she knows first hand what it is like’
Brad famously ended his marriage to the Horrible Bosses actress in 2005 after meeting Angelina on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (pictured together in 2014)
In the years that followed, the now-split couple made comments that appeared to confirm that their relationship had started while the actor was still married to Jennifer (pictured in 2012)
Jennifer made her attempt to shut down the Barack rumors last year during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The host, 57, handed her a gossip magazine which featured the claim and the Dumplin’ actress responded: ‘Of all the calls you get from your publicist where you’re just like “Oh, no, what’s it gonna be?” or you get an email saying some cheesy tabloid is gonna make up a story — and then it’s that…’
‘I was not mad at it,’ she then added with a giggle, before clarifying that the story is ‘absolutely untrue.’
‘So, the truth about Jen and Barack is that there’s no truth?’ Jimmy confirmed.
Jennifer stressed: ‘I’ve met him [Obama] once. I know Michelle more than him.’
Joking, Jimmy then asked: ‘Is there a truth about you and Michelle?’
‘That is not true,’ the actress said with a smile.
Jennifer is not known to be dating anyone currently, and has not been romantically linked to anyone for the past five years.
Jennifer addressed the rumor on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October where she said it was ‘absolutely untrue’
Jimmy Kimmel presented the Hollywood actress with the magazine which made the allegations
Jennifer is not known to be dating anyone currently, and has not been romantically linked to anyone for the past five years
Meanwhile, Barack and Michelle have been married for 33 years, and share daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23.
Earlier this month, the former president signaled that his marriage is still going strong when he uploaded a sweet message to Michelle for her birthday.
‘Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,’ he wrote, alongside a snap that showed them holding hands while enjoying dinner.
‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you.’
The image featured a smiling Barack in a gray button down top and black dress pants, as he sat across from Michelle, who donned a dark V-neck sweater dress and a patterned headpiece.
They lovingly grabbed each other’s hands as they faced the camera.
Michelle shared the post to her own account alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Love you, honey!’
Fans of the political power couple became concerned that there may be trouble in paradise immediately after it was announced that Michelle wouldn’t be attending Trump’s inauguration.
Barack also shut down divorce rumors as he posted a gushing tribute to the ‘love of his life’ Michelle in honor of her 61st birthday earlier this month
Michelle shared the post to her own account alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Love you, honey!’
The former president and his wife tied the knot at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago on October 3, 1992
‘I’m calling it, the Obamas are getting a divorce,’ wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
Another posted: ‘An Obama divorce would not be on my 2025 predictions but it might happen.’
‘[Michelle] and Obama are on the outs. They are getting a divorce. She doesn’t want to be around him,’ someone else said.
‘Sounds like an Obama divorce is on the horizon, we’ve all seen it, they stop attending functions together,’ a fourth tweet read.
