Michelle Obama Gets Candid About Skipping Trump’s Inauguration: “I Have Zero Regrets”
Michelle Obama is finally breaking her silence on her much-debated decision to skip Donald Trump’s second inauguration — and she’s unapologetically standing by her choice.
In a heartfelt exchange with actress Taraji P. Henson on the IMO podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, the former First Lady opened up about the importance of prioritizing her mental and emotional well-being — even when it ruffles feathers. Now 60, Michelle says that therapy has empowered her to set boundaries, including learning to say “no” without guilt.
“When I decided not to attend the inauguration — or made other decisions earlier this year that felt right for me — people immediately assumed the worst,” she revealed. “They couldn’t believe I was just taking care of myself. Instead, they jumped to conclusions, speculating my marriage was in trouble.”
Her absence from Trump’s inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter stirred a frenzy of online rumors earlier this year. Still, Michelle remains clear: the choice wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
“I’ve realized I don’t owe anyone an explanation for protecting my peace,” she added. “Sometimes self-care looks like silence.”
Michelle Obama Reveals the Inner Struggle Behind Skipping Trump’s Inauguration: “I Had to Choose Me”
“It took everything in me to resist doing what was expected,” Michelle Obama confessed, reflecting on her decision to sit out Donald Trump’s second inauguration. “Instead, I had to focus on what was necessary for me.”
In her candid conversation with IMO podcast co-host Taraji P. Henson, Michelle revealed that the pressure to conform nearly swayed her. “I know myself,” she said. “If I had an outfit picked out and hanging in the closet, it would’ve been too easy to fall back into that role — the one everyone expects me to play.”
Her strategy? Don’t even give herself the option. “Not having an outfit ready was intentional. It was my way of protecting my decision — and my peace.”
Taraji, moved by Michelle’s vulnerability, applauded her for speaking out. “Too many women act as emotional shock absorbers,” Henson said. “We carry the weight of our families, our communities, and our reputations — often at the expense of our own well-being. And it’s exhausting. It’s unfair.”
Michelle’s message couldn’t be clearer: choosing yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary.
Michelle Obama on the Power of Saying No: “The World Keeps Spinning”
Michelle Obama knows the pressure of living under a spotlight — and she’s now more determined than ever to break that cycle, not just for herself, but for her daughters, Malia and Sasha.
“I’m still learning how to put myself first,” she admitted. “Not just for my own well-being, but because I want my daughters to see what that looks like. If after everything I’ve achieved, I’m still stuck trying to prove myself to the world, what message does that send to the next generation?”
For Michelle, setting boundaries isn’t selfish — it’s essential. “I want my girls to start building that ‘no’ muscle earlier than I did,” she explained. “It’s a skill, and like any muscle, it gets stronger with practice.”
And for anyone worried about the consequences of saying no? Michelle had a powerful reminder: “Guess what? The world keeps spinning. It doesn’t fall apart because you choose yourself.”
With these words, Michelle Obama delivers a message that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant: women don’t owe anyone an explanation for their choices. Sometimes the boldest act of leadership is simply deciding to put yourself first.
