Gavin Howe
Former US President Barack Obama has a few half-brothers, including Malik Obama, Craig Robinson, and George Obama. Malik Obama is a Kenyan-American businessman and politician, and while he initially supported his half-brother, he later became a critic of Obama and the Democrats, and a supporter of Donald Trump. Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama's brother, is a former college basketball coach and broadcaster. He assisted Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign and the two have a close bond, with Robinson describing Obama as having good self-esteem without being cocky. George Obama, on the other hand, has denied feeling abandoned by his half-brother and has stated that he expects no favors from him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Obama's brother-in-law | Craig Robinson |
| Date of birth | April 21, 1962 |
| Place of birth | Calumet Park, Illinois |
| Siblings | Michelle Obama |
| Profession | College basketball coach, basketball executive, broadcaster |
| Notable works | Worked as a vice president at Continental Illinois Bank and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter |
| Relationship with Barack Obama | Close friends, helped him during the 2008 presidential campaign |
| Relationship with Michelle Obama | Close, praised her brother on social media |
| Other notable mentions | Assisted in dispelling divorce rumors about the Obamas |
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What You'll Learn
- Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson and Barack Obama became friends
- Craig Robinson helped Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign
- Craig Robinson and Barack Obama share a love for basketball
- Craig Robinson thought Barack Obama and his sister wouldn't last
- Barack Obama's half-brother Malik Obama supported Donald Trump
Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson and Barack Obama became friends
Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, and former US President Barack Obama became friends through basketball and their relationship with Michelle. Robinson is two years older than his sister, and the two grew up in Chicago's South Shore.
Robinson and Obama first met when Michelle and Barack began dating. Michelle asked her brother to play basketball with her new boyfriend to assess his character and determine whether she could get serious with him. Robinson recalled that he was initially concerned that Barack would be out of his depth and that he would have to protect him on the court. However, after playing basketball with him, Robinson gave an encouraging report to his sister. He observed that Barack was a team player, had good self-esteem without being cocky, and demonstrated natural leadership abilities.
Robinson and Obama's shared interest in basketball continued to play a significant role in their relationship. In March 2015, they attended the Green Bay versus Princeton women's college basketball game together. Robinson also assisted Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, campaigning and giving speeches for him in various states. He introduced Michelle before her speech on the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and he was on stage with Obama during his victory speech in Grant Park after the election.
In addition to their shared connection to Michelle and their love of basketball, Robinson and Obama developed a friendship based on mutual respect and support. Robinson has praised Obama's leadership skills and character, and Obama has recognised Robinson's coaching talents, commenting on his ability to turn around the Oregon State Beavers basketball team. The two men have also worked together to promote sports initiatives.
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Craig Robinson helped Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign
Craig Robinson is the brother of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the brother-in-law of former US President Barack Obama. Robinson is a former college basketball coach, basketball executive, and broadcaster. He is also a former bond trader and investment banker.
Robinson helped Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. He campaigned for Obama during the Iowa caucuses and in several other states, sometimes combining campaigning with recruiting visits. Robinson gave speeches for Obama, and introduced his sister Michelle before her speech on the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This gave him his largest national exposure. Robinson was also on stage following Obama's victory speech in Grant Park after his election as president.
Robinson's role in Obama's campaign was significant, as it provided him with a national platform and allowed him to share his memories of Obama and his childhood. Robinson's early memories of Obama included an on-the-court interview, where he assessed Obama's character for his sister Michelle when she began dating Obama. Robinson has described Obama as "quietly confident" with "good self-esteem without being cocky" and a "natural leader".
In addition to his role in the 2008 campaign, Robinson has had a successful career in basketball coaching and administration. He has held positions at various universities, including Oregon State University and Brown University. Robinson's coaching abilities have been recognised by Obama, who described him as an "outstanding coach" in 2009.
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Craig Robinson and Barack Obama share a love for basketball
Craig Robinson and Barack Obama are linked by their shared love for basketball. Robinson is the brother of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the brother-in-law of former US President Barack Obama. Robinson is a former college basketball player and coach, while Obama played basketball recreationally.
Robinson and Obama's shared passion for basketball played a significant role in their relationship. When Michelle began dating Obama, she asked her brother to play basketball with him and assess his character. Robinson later recalled that Obama was a team player and had natural leadership abilities, demonstrating good self-esteem without being cocky. He approved of Obama, and the couple went on to get married. Robinson's assessment of Obama during their basketball game became a key part of the Obama narrative.
Robinson was born on April 21, 1962, in Calumet Park, Illinois. He grew up in Chicago's South Shore neighbourhood with his younger sister, Michelle. Robinson excelled in basketball and academics, learning to read by the age of four and skipping the second grade. He attended Princeton University, where he was a star forward on the basketball team in the early 1980s. After his playing career, Robinson pursued a business degree and worked in the financial industry while also coaching basketball at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
Obama, on the other hand, played basketball recreationally. He continued to play even after becoming president, famously requiring 30 stitches after injuring his lip during a pickup game. Despite his injury, Obama's love for the sport remained evident, as he referenced it in his victory speech following his election as president in 2008.
Robinson's coaching career included stints at Oregon State University and Brown University. In 2020, he became the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He also assisted Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, campaigning and giving speeches in various states. Robinson's sister, Michelle, and Obama maintained their interest in basketball, supporting their hometown Chicago Bulls and later the New York Knicks, where Robinson took on a role as vice president of player development.
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Craig Robinson thought Barack Obama and his sister wouldn't last
Craig Robinson, brother of former First Lady Michelle Obama and brother-in-law of former US President Barack Obama, has admitted that he initially did not think his sister and Barack would last. On an episode of the siblings' 'IMO' podcast, Robinson shared that he thought the couple would only last "'about a month' when they first started dating.
Robinson recalled that when Michelle began dating Barack, he and their family did not know much about him. "Mich starts to date Barack, and we don't know who this guy is. We're just like, 'Barack? Who's got a name like Barack?'", Robinson teased on the podcast. He added, "And I'm thinking to myself, it's gonna last like about a month like most of your relationships did."
However, Michelle disagreed with her brother's assessment, stating that she had "many long-term boyfriends" before Barack. Despite Robinson's initial doubts, he played a crucial role in the couple's early relationship. As Michelle and Barack were colleagues at a law firm and both enjoyed playing basketball recreationally, Michelle asked her brother to play basketball with Barack and assess his character. Robinson recalled, "When I played basketball with Barack, he was quietly confident, which means he had good self-esteem without being cocky... He was certainly a team player – he wasn't a pig, he passed when he was supposed to pass, and he cut when he was supposed to cut. To me, that speaks to a lack of selfishness. He had natural leadership ability because he didn't just pass me the ball because he was dating my sister." Robinson's positive report gave Michelle the encouragement she needed to pursue a serious relationship with Barack.
Over the years, Robinson and Barack have developed a strong bond. Robinson actively supported his brother-in-law during his 2008 presidential campaign, campaigning and giving speeches for him in various states. He even introduced Michelle before her speech on the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, which gave him his largest national exposure. Robinson has also maintained a close relationship with his sister, as evidenced by their joint podcast and his Instagram post referring to her as his "first pitcher, catcher, and friend!".
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Barack Obama's half-brother Malik Obama supported Donald Trump
Abon'go Malik Obama, the half-brother of former US President Barack Obama, has publicly declared his support for former President Donald Trump. In the 2024 US presidential election, Malik Obama endorsed Trump, citing his disappointment with Barack Obama's presidency and admiration for Trump's straightforwardness.
Born in Kenya, Malik is the son of economist Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife, Kezia Obama. He has dual citizenship in Kenya and the United States and has lived in the US for several years, working as an accountant for organisations in and around Washington, D.C. He currently resides in the Obamas' ancestral home, Nyang'oma Kogelo, in Kenya, and runs a small electronics shop outside of town.
Malik has had a strained relationship with his half-brother, Barack Obama. Despite being the best man at Barack and Michelle Obama's wedding in 1992, Malik has criticised Barack for not supporting a foundation he established in their father's name. He has also fuelled conspiracy theories claiming that Barack Obama was not born in the US but was rather a citizen of Kenya.
Malik Obama's support for Donald Trump dates back to at least 2016, when he praised Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again". He has also expressed scepticism about allegations of sexual assault against Trump and opposes the expansion of LGBT rights, a cause championed by Barack Obama. In 2024, Malik's endorsement of Trump gained particular attention due to the viral photo of Tim Walz's distant family wearing "Walz's for Trump" t-shirts.
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Frequently asked questions
Craig Robinson, brother of Michelle Obama, is the brother-in-law of Barack Obama.
Craig Robinson is a former college basketball coach, basketball executive, and broadcaster. He is currently the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Craig Robinson and Barack Obama are close friends. Robinson assisted Obama throughout his 2008 presidential campaign. The two have also collaborated on podcasts.
