Michelle Obama Breaks Her Silence on Skipping Trump’s Inauguration
Michelle Obama is finally opening up about why she chose not to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration in January—a decision that sparked widespread speculation and rumors earlier this year.
The former First Lady, who was expected to be seated next to Trump during Jimmy Carter’s funeral as well, missed both high-profile events, fueling theories ranging from political tensions to marital issues with former President Barack Obama. But in a recent episode of her new podcast—featuring actress Taraji P. Henson—Michelle made it clear: her absence had nothing to do with scandal and everything to do with self-care.
“I’m at a stage in my life where I have to define my life on my own terms for the first time,” she explained, according to Today. “So what are those terms? And going to therapy to figure all that out?”
At the time, the Obamas’ office issued only a brief statement, confirming Barack Obama’s attendance but noting that Michelle would not be at the inauguration. The lack of explanation only intensified speculation.
Addressing the rumors directly, Michelle said, “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason—they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,” as cited by The New York Post. She added that choosing to prioritize her well-being over public expectations wasn’t easy: “It took everything in my power not to do the thing that was perceived as right, but to do what was right for me.”
Michelle also revealed that she’s teaching her daughters, Sasha and Malia, the importance of setting boundaries. “I want them to practice the art of saying no,” she said. “Feeling like they’re enough right now is a practice—it’s a muscle you have to build.”
Michelle Obama has never shied away from voicing her opinion about Donald Trump. While she did attend his inauguration in 2017, she has since been vocal about her disapproval, previously describing Trump as “a convicted felon, a known slumlord,” and “a predator found liable for sexual abuse,” according to The Independent.
