U.S. First Grandma Marian Robinson to Receive Lifetime $160K Government Pension: Hoax

Story:

Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, will receive a lifetime pension of $160,000 from the U.S. government.

Other Versions

1. First Grandma Marian Robinson to Receive Lifetime $160K Government Pension

2. Michelle Obama’s Mom Will Get $160k for LIFE – On YOUR Dime

Analysis:

According to a popular, controversial story online, Michelle Obama’s mother (U.S. First Grandma), Marian Robinson is going to receive a lifetime pension of $160,000 from the U.S. government. No, the claim is not a fact.

The claim in question originated from an article on The Boston Tribune website thebostontribune.com published on 17 October 2016. The article said that according to congressional budget statements First Grandma Marian Robinson (79) will receive a lifetime 160K government pension when she leaves the White House next year. Since the website uses a legitimate big-city newspaper name, many readers got to believe in the story and it thus went viral. The article also mentions links to Freedom of Information Act and Civil Service Retirement Act to explain why Mrs. Robinson likely qualified for her lifetime pension under an “optional” eligibility. But as a matter of fact, both the links do not have relevant information.

The Boston Tribune is in fact a satirical, fake news website that generates fabricated click-bait stories. Earlier the website published hoax stories like Colorado issues Marijuana recall after 49 hospitalized and 4 dead, and Obama purchases 2 million dollar retirement property in the Middle East. So the current claim that Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, will receive a lifetime pension of $160,000 from the U.S. government is yet another hoax. Note that the article mentions – Mrs. Robinson earned the lifetime pension for “services rendered as full-time/in-home caregiver” for her granddaughters during President Obama’s two terms in office – which is a clear indicator of its satirical nature.