Barack Obama made headlines this week after attending the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, sparking viral attention for what some observers interpreted as a subtle shot at former President Donald Trump.

The former president, 64, appeared courtside with his wife, Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha Obama, 24, as well as NBA legend Julius Erving, 75. Fans noticed Obama's relaxed, confident demeanor and sockless style, which contrasted sharply with images of Trump's swollen ankles, sometimes referred to online as "cankles."

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A social media user compared the two, captioning a carousel of photos: "Moisturized and not swollen," highlighting Obama's ankles versus Trump's. Another commenter added humorously, "That shoe is working overtime with the kankle pressing down on it," while a third wrote, "Holy s–t! Big time CANKS!!!"

Observers speculated that Obama's sockless courtside look might have been intentional. "Obama has GOT to be trolling Trump with not wearing socks. In winter. And as usual, it's perfect," one fan posted. Another added praise for the former president, saying, "Obama is aging so beautifully," reflecting how even minor style choices can fuel public discussion.

Atlanta Black Star pointed out that these photos and comments aren't just about clothes—they're about the quiet rivalry between Obama and Trump. People compare them every time they go out, whether it's their outfit or posture. The internet loves it; suddenly, what they wear turns into political fuel.

Take Obama's choice to skip the socks. Maybe it was intentional; maybe he just wanted to be comfortable. Either way, people noticed. The reaction was fast—within hours of the photos hitting Threads, folks were weighing in. It's just a pair of bare ankles, but somehow, it says a lot. In the ongoing back-and-forth between these two, even the smallest style move can feel loaded.

In separate news, Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have reportedly secretly agreed to divorce, having settled a $70 million asset split. Michelle is said to retain full control of their Hollywood production company, Higher Ground, along with their Chicago and Martha's Vineyard homes, while Barack will keep the D.C. mansion and a share of the stock portfolio and film profits.

Sources claim the split follows years of domestic discord intensified after Donald Trump's 2024 election victory, with the couple living largely separate lives. RadarOnline reports that they plan to publicly announce their divorce after the summer, keeping their close friends informed in the interim. The separation marks a historic first for former post-White House occupants.