Michelle Obama Reveals the Trump-Era Policy That Still Haunts Her
Michelle Obama recently opened up about the one issue from Donald Trump’s presidency that continues to weigh heavily on her mind: immigration policy. In a candid appearance on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, the former First Lady didn’t hold back about her fears, frustrations, and her ongoing commitment to protecting her peace.
“In today’s climate, what keeps me up at night is what’s happening to immigrants,” she said. “It’s not fear for myself anymore — I’m Michelle Obama. I ride around in a motorcade with a police escort.” But, she added, “I still worry about my daughters out in the world, even though they’re somewhat recognizable.”
Now 61, Obama expressed deep concern for people of color and immigrants across America, highlighting how racism, bias, and ignorance seem to be growing unchecked. She also voiced fears that under the current leadership, due process is being sidelined when it comes to immigration decisions.
“We’re seeing a government that’s making these calls about who belongs and who doesn’t without going through the courts or following due process,” she warned.
Her brother, Craig Robinson, joined her on the podcast and shared a painful memory from their childhood — when he was falsely accused of stealing a bicycle by a Black police officer. Michelle pointed to that incident as an example of the systemic bias that still exists, especially in today’s immigration enforcement.
Barack Obama Speaks Out, Too
Former President Barack Obama also addressed the state of American politics during a recent speech at Hamilton College. Without naming Trump, he criticized the federal government’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
“I’m more concerned about a government that threatens universities for protecting free speech,” he said. “Or one that pressures law firms by saying, ‘If you represent someone we don’t like, we’ll punish you.’ That’s not how our democracy is supposed to work.”
Why Michelle Skipped Trump’s Inauguration
Michelle also cleared the air about why she skipped Trump’s 2025 inauguration — and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, which added fuel to the rumors. Speaking on her own podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, she explained the decision in simple terms: “It started with not having anything to wear.”
She made it clear that this wasn’t about wardrobe drama — it was a personal choice rooted in self-preservation. “I told my team, ‘Don’t even have a dress ready.’ Because if you have the dress, it’s easy to give in and say, ‘Let me do the right thing.’”
Her absence triggered widespread speculation, with critics suggesting political motives — or even trouble in her marriage, since Barack Obama attended both events solo. But Michelle quickly shut that down.
“People couldn’t accept that I said no just because I needed to,” she said. “They had to make it about scandal or my marriage falling apart.”
Instead, she explained, it was about self-care and learning to define life on her own terms. “I’m at this point in life where I need to choose what works for me. And I’m working that out — including in therapy.”
She’s also trying to pass that mindset on to her daughters, Sasha and Malia. “I want them to practice the art of saying no now. That muscle takes time to build — if you don’t, you’ll never feel like you’re enough as you are.”
While Michelle Obama did attend Trump’s first inauguration in 2020, her views on him have since sharpened. She’s publicly referred to him as “a convicted felon, a known slumlord,” and “a predator found liable for sexual abuse.”
Her latest comments reflect not just political concern but a deeply personal mission to stand up for what she believes in — and to help the next generation do the same.
