Michelle Obama is finally addressing the controversy surrounding her decision to skip President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, and she’s unapologetic about it.
In a heartfelt conversation with actress Taraji P. Henson on the IMO podcast — which Michelle co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson — the former First Lady opened up about the importance of prioritizing her own well-being, even if others don’t understand her choices. At 60, Michelle reveals that therapy has empowered her to embrace the power of saying “no,” even in the face of public criticism.
“When I chose not to attend the inauguration — and made other decisions that were right for me — people jumped to conclusions,” Michelle shared. “They couldn’t grasp that I was just doing what was best for myself, and instead, they rushed to assume that my marriage was in trouble.”
The speculation reached a fever pitch when Michelle was not only absent from Trump’s inauguration but also from the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Yet, despite the online chatter, she stresses that the decision was far from easy — it was about doing what felt right for her.
Michelle Obama is finally addressing the controversy surrounding her decision to skip President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, and she’s unapologetic about it.
In a heartfelt conversation with actress Taraji P. Henson on the IMO podcast — which Michelle co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson — the former First Lady opened up about the importance of prioritizing her own well-being, even if others don’t understand her choices. At 60, Michelle reveals that therapy has empowered her to embrace the power of saying “no,” even in the face of public criticism.
“When I chose not to attend the inauguration — and made other decisions that were right for me — people jumped to conclusions,” Michelle shared. “They couldn’t grasp that I was just doing what was best for myself, and instead, they rushed to assume that my marriage was in trouble.”
The speculation reached a fever pitch when Michelle was not only absent from Trump’s inauguration but also from the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Yet, despite the online chatter, she stresses that the decision was far from easy — it was about doing what felt right for her.
Michelle emphasized that she’s still learning to prioritize herself—not just for her own well-being but also as a role model for her daughters, Malia and Sasha. “If, after everything I’ve accomplished, I’m still trapped in a cycle of trying to prove myself to the world, what kind of message does that send to the next generation?” she reflected.
She made it clear that setting healthy boundaries is not an act of selfishness; it’s a necessity. “I want my daughters to learn the power of saying ‘no’ earlier than I did, so that muscle is strong,” Michelle shared.
“And here’s the thing,” Michelle added with confidence, “The world keeps spinning even when you say no. It doesn’t fall apart when you finally put yourself first.”
With these powerful remarks, Michelle Obama is delivering a bold message: Women don’t owe anyone an explanation for their choices—and sometimes, making decisions that are best for you is the most empowering statement of all.
Michelle emphasized that she’s still learning to prioritize herself—not just for her own well-being but also as a role model for her daughters, Malia and Sasha. “If, after everything I’ve accomplished, I’m still trapped in a cycle of trying to prove myself to the world, what kind of message does that send to the next generation?” she reflected.
She made it clear that setting healthy boundaries is not an act of selfishness; it’s a necessity. “I want my daughters to learn the power of saying ‘no’ earlier than I did, so that muscle is strong,” Michelle shared.
“And here’s the thing,” Michelle added with confidence, “The world keeps spinning even when you say no. It doesn’t fall apart when you finally put yourself first.”
With these powerful remarks, Michelle Obama is delivering a bold message: Women don’t owe anyone an explanation for their choices—and sometimes, making decisions that are best for you is the most empowering statement of all.
