The Obama’s, once the golden couple of American politics, are facing a precipitous decline in their political and cultural influence. This decline points to a potential end of an era for the couple who once commanded unparalleled influence in both political circles and popular culture. How has Barack Obama’s relationship with the Democratic Party evolved since his presidency?
The Fading Political Star
Barack Obama’s political influence within the Democratic Party has diminished dramatically, according to recent polling data. Only 4% of Democratic-aligned adults now view him as the ideological leader of the party, a stunning reversal for the former two-term president who once commanded overwhelming support and loyalty.
A new book titled “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House” by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes delivers a scathing assessment of Obama’s impact on the Democratic Party. The authors, from NBC and The Hill respectively, write that “He left the party weaker than he found it,” pointing to Obama’s decision to create Organizing For Action in 2012 that allegedly diverted resources away from the party proper.
Barack Obama: "We're at one of those moments where you know what, it's not enough to say that you're for something.
"You may actually have to do something and possibly sacrifice."
What has he Sacrificed ? pic.twitter.com/MbDnZBJDPr— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) April 7, 2025
Marriage Rumors Amid Declining Relevance
Whispers about marital troubles between Barack and Michelle Obama have become fodder for clickbait and Washington gossip. Reports of separate bedrooms have emerged amid Barack’s candid admissions about “deep deficits” in their relationship during his presidency.
The timing of these personal revelations coincides with a noticeable waning of the couple’s cultural influence. Michelle Obama’s podcast “IMO” currently ranks only 34th on Spotify, significantly below expectations for a former First Lady who once enjoyed massive popularity and book sales.
Even their much-touted Netflix deal has reportedly fallen short of delivering significant viewership. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, appeared to lower expectations by stating, “They’re not big commercial projects, typically. It’s not what they were trying to do.”
The one good thing about Michelle Obama's failed podcast is the fact that it reminds us all about what kind of narcissistic elitists she truly is.
Imagine having to go home to this every night 👇 pic.twitter.com/Yj0lmMy00o— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) April 3, 2025
Organizational Impact and Future Prospects
Obama’s founding of Organizing For Action has been particularly criticized for weakening traditional Democratic Party structures. One anonymous party operative was quoted bluntly stating, “Obama destroyed that s**t,” reflecting lingering resentment about how resources were diverted from state and local party organizations.
The book “Fight” further details how Obama’s influence has diminished within Democratic circles. His reported opposition to Kamala Harris as a nominee was disregarded, suggesting a significant reduction in his ability to shape party decisions.
Even Hollywood, once a reliable ally, seems to be distancing itself from the former first couple. Their production company, Higher Ground, has not produced the kind of cultural touchstones or commercial hits that many expected, further indicating a decline in their star power.