During an interview this week on the Pivot podcast, Obama said that Malia, 26, wanted audiences to watch her directorial debut, The Heart, without having the family connection in mind.

While the claim originated on a website that posts satirical content, some social media users presented it as legitimate news.

Barack Obama has spoken out about his daughter Malia's decision to drop her famous last name as she embarks on a career in ...

Michelle Obama celebrated her 61st birthday last week and no doubt did something special with her family, including her grown-up daughters Malia and ... and even other members of the White House. " ...

Malia is credited as “Malia Ann” in The Heart rather than as an Obama. Her choice to put aside her family’s name sparked an uproar among critics, who called her a “nepo baby.” ...