'Hard thing for me to do': Michelle Obama opens up about saying 'No' to Barack Obama for Trump's inauguration

Michelle Obama is finally putting the record straight.

The former First Lady of the United States of America recently opened up about her widely discussed decision to skip President Donald Trump ’s inauguration, along with her husband, the former President of the US, Barack Obama .

Michelle addressed her absence from the January 2025 event, which her husband Barack Obama attended, during the latest episode of her and her brother Craig Robinson ’s podcast, ‘IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’, which featured Taraji P. Henson as a guest.


What did Michelle say?

In the latest ‘IMO’ episode, the former First Lady – for the first time – opened up about why she chose not to accompany Barack Obama to Trump's second inauguration. While Michelle admitted that it was a ‘hard thing’ for her to do, she also put the record straight about the rumors of trouble in her marriage with Barack.


While her husband, former President Barack Obama, attended Trump’s inaugural ceremony alongside Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and their respective spouses, Michelle chose not to go—a decision that drew widespread speculation and criticism.

The mother of two revealed how “it took everything in my power to not do the thing that was right—or that was perceived as right—but to do the thing that was right for me.” Michelle added, “That was a hard thing for me to do.”


What really happened…

Talking about how she arrived at the decision of not going to the ceremony, Michelle revealed that she had to "trick' herself into staying away from the ceremony.

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The former First Lady shared, "It started with not having anything to wear," adding, “I’m always prepared for any funeral, anything.” She continued, “I walk around with the right dress, I travel with clothes just in case something pops off. So 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, right? Because it’s so easy to just say, 'Let me do the right thing’.”

Michelle stated that avoiding the inauguration wasn't about political or personal issues. Rather, it was one of those times when she chose to prioritise herself. She revealed that although the choice was tough, it was essential for her well-being. She explained, "I'm here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me," adding, "It took everything in my power to not do the thing that ‘was right,’ or was perceived as right, but do the thing that was right for me.”

However, Michelle revealed – to her surprise and shock – her decision not to attend Trump’s inauguration was linked with the rumors of ‘potential collapse’ of her marital life with her husband, Barack.

Reflecting on that widespread rumor, Michelle said, "My decision to skip the inauguration — or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me — were met with such ridicule and criticism." She added, "People couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart."


Putting rumors to rest:

Earlier this year, the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama issued a statement to confirm that the former First Lady would not be at Trump’s inauguration. However, Barack Obama was at the event, alongside former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The news sparked rumors that Barack and Michelle were getting a divorce, since the former President of the United States had also attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral without his wife.

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Earlier this month, the ‘Becoming’ author finally addressed those divorce rumors during an appearance on Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast, saying, “The interesting thing is that, when I say ‘no,’ for the most part people are like, ‘I get it, and I’m OK’.” She added, “That’s the thing that we as women, I think, we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.”


Reigniting the romance:

Despite the rumors of their marriage falling apart like a wildfire, Barack and Michelle kept showering each other with love and special messages on social media – whether it was a birthday post, or a Valentine’s Day wish!

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In fact, the former First Couple was recently seen together on a date night in Washington, DC. A video of the pair leaving a private dining room and heading down a staircase was taken by a fellow diner at Osteria Mozza, an Italian restaurant. Per Page Six, patrons cheered to their feet as they watched the Obamas navigate the busy restaurant.