Michelle Obama has never shied away from honesty — especially when it comes to life behind the headlines. Now, she’s sharing the quiet rule that’s shaped her marriage to Barack Obama from the very beginning — and why it still holds strong today.

A Marriage Rule That Stuck

On the May 13 episode of Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Michelle Obama opened up about a long-standing agreement in her marriage: she’s allowed to tease Barack, but he isn’t allowed to tease her back. “We have a deal, Barack and I… ‘I can tease you, but you cannot tease me,’” she told Poehler. When he forgets the rule, Michelle quickly shuts it down: “None of that.” She added, “When me, Malia, and Sasha… are together, he doesn’t stand a chance.”

Humor as a Love Language

Michelle revealed that teasing is how her family expresses love. “Teasing is our love language, and I tell him that,” she said. Even though Barack often ends up the target, she shared the dynamic with warmth and humor.

Facing Public Scrutiny

While humor plays a big role at home, Michelle takes a more serious approach to public criticism. Speaking at SXSW, she reflected on the intense scrutiny their family faced. “Let me tell you, there was a lot of negative energy flipping our way,” she said, citing false claims about Barack’s background and patriotism. Despite this, they remained hopeful by focusing on what truly mattered.

Staying Grounded in the Spotlight

To protect her peace, Michelle avoids online negativity entirely. “I don’t think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period,” she stated. Teaching her daughters to stay grounded has been just as important. “You cannot live through social media,” she emphasized. As she enters a new chapter in life, Michelle focuses on personal freedom over public pressure.