Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Tafari Campbell’s widow didn’t expose the Obama family, contrary to social media claims
If Your Time is short
-
This video offers no evidence that the wife of the late Tafari Campbell, personal chef to the Obama family, "exposed" the Obama family in any way or blamed them for her husband’s death. We also found no evidence to support the claim.
Tafari Campbell, who was the Obama family’s personal chef, drowned accidentally more than a month ago. But conspiracy theories and rumors linger online that cast aspersions on the former president.
"Barack Obama’s late chef’s wife comes out to expose Obama family," a video caption on a Sept. 1 Facebook post says.
But the video doesn’t address a supposed "exposure." In fact, it doesn’t mention Campbell or his wife at all.
This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
Rather than elaborating on the allegation that Campbell’s widow recently exposed the Obama family, the video’s narrator delves into an old debunked claim that the late comedian, Joan Rivers, was killed after she made comments about former President Barack Obama’s sexuality and former first lady Michelle Obama’s gender identity.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
Neither Obama was home when Campbell was seen July 23 struggling in the water while paddleboarding near the family’s Martha Vineyard’s summer home off the Massachusetts coast.
The Massachusetts chief medical examiner ruled Campbell’s drowning death accidental.
Featured Fact-check
We found no evidence or news reports that Campbell’s wife has exposed the family in any way or blamed the Obamas for her late husband’s death.
On the Instagram account of her baking and catering business, she wrote July 25: "My heart is broken. My life and our family’s life is forever changed. Please pray for our families as I deal with the loss of my husband."
We rate this post False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Sept. 1, 2023
PolitiFact, Supposed recording of Obama reacting to chef’s death isn’t authentic, Aug. 24, 2023
PolitiFact, Comedian Joan Rivers was wrong about the Obamas, Jan. 19, 2023
PolitiFact, Tafari Campbell’s drowning death was accidental, he wasn’t murdered, according to medical examiner, Aug. 29, 2023
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Tafari Campbell’s widow didn’t expose the Obama family, contrary to social media claims
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.