In a heartfelt episode of her new podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about a decision that sparked widespread speculation—her choice not to attend President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
The candid conversation, featuring actress Taraji P. Henson as a guest, took a deeply personal turn as Michelle discussed the importance of protecting her mental and emotional well-being. She revealed that her decision was rooted in a promise she made to herself: to say no more often to things that didn’t align with her peace of mind.
“One of my goals this year was to stop doing things that don’t serve me,” Michelle shared. “And that meant not going to the inauguration. That decision was about prioritizing myself.”
Her absence at the high-profile event quickly ignited speculation online, with rumors ranging from political tensions to supposed marital issues between her and former President Barack Obama. Michelle didn’t hold back from addressing the gossip directly.
“There were all sorts of stories floating around—that Barack and I were having problems, or that I was angry,” she said. “None of that was true. I just chose me. I chose peace over pressure.”
Throughout the episode, Michelle reflected on the challenge of setting boundaries in the public eye and how she’s learning to protect her energy—even when it means breaking tradition or facing criticism.
