Former First Lady Michelle Obama has finally addressed why she chose not to attend Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration in January 2025. Speaking on her podcast “IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” she revealed that her absence was a deliberate choice to honor her own needs rather than fulfilling public expectations. The decision sparked widespread speculation about her marriage to former President Barack Obama, who attended the event alone.
Setting Personal Boundaries as a Form of Self-Care
“It took everything in my power to not do the thing that was perceived as right, but do the things that was right for me,” Obama explained during the April 23 episode. She described this decision as “a hard thing for me to do” despite her well-known “go high” mantra.
The 61-year-old former First Lady emphasized that this moment represented her standing firm in her convictions. Rather than conforming to public expectations, she chose to honor her principles. “It started with not having anything to wear,” she revealed. “I was like, if I’m not going to do this thing, I got to tell my team, I don’t even want to have a dress ready.”
Teaching Young Black Women the Power of “No”
Obama framed her decision as part of a larger lesson she hopes to pass on to younger generations of women, particularly Black women. “It’s a muscle that you have to build,” she said about saying no. “And I think we suffered, because it’s almost like we started training late in life to build that muscle.”
The former First Lady expressed concern about the expectations placed on Black women to always maintain composure and make sacrifices. “I want our daughters, I want the young women out there… I want my girls to start practicing different strategies for saying no,” she stated passionately. Obama questioned the value of “always setting, going high all the time, even in the face of a lot of hypocrisy and contradiction.”
Addressing Divorce Rumors and Public Speculation
When Obama decided not to attend the inauguration, rumors quickly spread about potential marital problems. “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason; they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,” she recalled of the gossip that circulated.
These rumors intensified when the Obamas missed several public events together. However, the former First Lady has firmly dismissed these speculations. Her decision represents a personal choice rather than any indication of relationship troubles with the former president.
Therapy and Healing After White House Pressure
During the podcast conversation with guest Taraji P. Henson, Obama also opened up about seeking therapy to process her eight years in the White House. “We made it through. We got out alive,” she reflected on her family’s time in office. “I hope we made the country proud. My girls, thank God, are whole. But what happened to me?”
The former First Lady shared that therapy has helped her address the intense scrutiny her family faced. “Going through therapy is getting me to look at the fact that maybe, maybe finally I’m good enough,” she revealed. This statement offers a glimpse into the personal toll of public service and constant criticism.
Standing Firm Against Political Aspirations
Despite continued public pressure, Obama has consistently maintained that she has no intention of running for president. Her decision to skip the inauguration aligns with her broader stance on political involvement.
Given her firsthand experience with the challenges of political life, particularly for Black Americans in office, her reluctance is understandable. The former First Lady continues to focus on her advocacy work, writing, and public speaking engagements rather than seeking elected office.
