Former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about her decision to skip President Trump’s second inauguration, explaining that it was a deeply personal choice made for the sake of her mental and emotional well-being.
During a candid conversation with her brother Craig Robinson on her podcast in an episode also featuring actress Taraji P. Henson Obama reflected on the backlash she received for choosing not to attend the January event, saying the criticism didn’t come as a surprise.
“It took everything in my power to not do what was expected, or what looked right, but to instead do what actually felt right for me,” she said. “That was a hard thing for me to do.”
While former President Barack Obama attended the inauguration, standing alongside former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and former First Ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama was notably absent. Her absence drew considerable attention, with many interpreting it as a statement of quiet defiance. Allies at the time hinted that her decision was rooted in strong opposition to Trump’s policies and behavior during the 2024 campaign a race in which she had been actively involved, campaigning for Democratic candidates and criticizing Trump’s rhetoric.
Michelle Obama said she typically prepares carefully for major events, right down to the outfit. But this time, she told her team not to plan for a dress. “Because once the dress is there, it becomes so easy to slip into doing the thing that’s expected,” she said. “I needed to not even have the option.”
She added that she’s still learning to prioritize herself without guilt. “I’m still working on being comfortable doing things solely for myself, and being OK with that.”
Her remarks come at a time when political divisions remain high and public figures especially women are often scrutinized for how they handle tradition and protocol. For Michelle Obama, skipping Trump’s swearing-in wasn’t about making headlines or taking a political jab it was about protecting her peace, even if others didn’t understand.
“It was a tough call,” she said, “but it was the right one for me.”
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