logo
Michelle Obama defends decision to skip Trump's inauguration, ‘I just told myself…'

Michelle Obama defends decision to skip Trump's inauguration, ‘I just told myself…'

Hindustan Times01-05-2025

Michelle Obama is defending her decision to skip Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. On Thursday's episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, the former first lady explained that it helped her learn the 'art of saying no.'
'You know, as a box-checking person who has been checking her whole life, doing the right thing, trying to always be an example, always going high … I think I just told myself, 'I think I've done enough of that,' and if I haven't, then I never will,' Michelle told Steven Bartlett. 'It'll never be enough. So let me start now,' she added, referencing her decision to snub Trump's inauguration in January.
Also Read: Robert De Niro reacts after daughter Airyn comes out as transgender, 'I don't know…'
However, the Becoming author admitted that she 'basically tricked' herself into skipping the event by making sure she had nothing 'to wear.' 'I was like, if I'm not going to do this thing, I've got to tell my team,' she recalled, adding, 'I don't even want to have a dress ready, right?'
Michelle explained that if she actually had a dress picked out for the event, she would have ended up doing 'the right thing [by attending].' She further noted that her decision to skip the event allowed her to practice the 'art of saying no,' which she feels 'the young women out there' must learn.
Also Read: Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe gets candid about past relationship with 'childhood sweetheart'
'After all that I've done in this world, if … I still have to show people that I love my country, that I'm doing the right thing, that I am … going high all the time, all I'm doing is keeping that crazy bar that our mothers and grandmothers set for us,' Michelle added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Michelle Obama says 'creating life is the least' a woman's body does, faces heat from pro-life activists
Michelle Obama says 'creating life is the least' a woman's body does, faces heat from pro-life activists

Time of India

time01-06-2025

  • Time of India

Michelle Obama says 'creating life is the least' a woman's body does, faces heat from pro-life activists

Former first lady Michelle Obama Former First Lady Michelle Obama is drawing criticism after saying that creating life is "the least" of what a woman's reproductive system does. The remarks came during the latest episode of her podcast 'IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson. ' In a wide-ranging discussion on women's health and abortion rights, Obama said the conversation around reproductive issues has been unfairly narrowed. "Women's reproductive health is about our life," she said. "It's about this whole complicated reproductive system that the least of what it does is produce life. It's a very important thing that it does, but you only produce life if the machine that's producing it — if you want to whittle us down to a machine — is functioning in a healthy, streamlined kind of way. " The former first lady emphasised that the lack of medical research and understanding of women's health often leads to narrow or misguided political decision-making, particularly among male lawmakers. She also criticised Republican men for inaction on abortion rights, accusing them of "trading out women's health for a tax break or whatever it is." Additionally, Obama aimed at GOP women, suggesting some had voted for US President Donald Trump because of their husbands' influence. "There are a lot of women who vote the way their man is going to vote," she said. "It happened in this election." Conservative pushback Her comments quickly ignited backlash on social media and from conservative figures, who accused Obama of diminishing the importance of motherhood. "Motherhood is the most beautiful and powerful gift God gave women. Creating life isn't a side effect, it's a miracle," wrote Danielle D'Souza Gill, a prominent pro-life advocate and wife of Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas. "Don't let the Left cheapen it." Isabel Brown, a conservative author and influencer, also lashed out. "I am SO sick and tired of celebrities and elitists attempting to convince you that your miraculous superpower ability to GROW LIFE from nothing is somehow demeaning and 'lesser than' for women," she posted. Social media users echoed those sentiments, with some questioning whether Obama's comments reflected her views on her own children. "How do her kids feel after hearing their mother demeaning motherhood?" one user wrote.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama under fire for saying creating life is ‘the least' role of women's reproductive system
Former First Lady Michelle Obama under fire for saying creating life is ‘the least' role of women's reproductive system

Mint

time31-05-2025

  • Mint

Former First Lady Michelle Obama under fire for saying creating life is ‘the least' role of women's reproductive system

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama is facing sharp criticism after suggesting that producing life is "the least" of what a woman's reproductive system does. The remarks came during the latest episode of her podcast 'IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson', where she discussed women's health alongside her brother and guest Dr Sharon Malone, a leading OB/GYN. During the podcast episode, Michelle Obama said, "Women's reproductive health is about our life. It's about this whole complicated reproductive system that the least of what it does is produce life. It's a very important thing that it does, but you only produce life if the machine that's producing it — if you want to whittle us down to a machine — is functioning in a healthy, streamlined kind of way." Her comments were intended to broaden the conversation around reproductive health, which she claimed has been narrowly reduced to abortion rights and "the question of choice." However, critics say her language undermines the value of motherhood and the significance of childbearing. Danielle D'Souza Gill, a prominent pro-life voice and wife of Republican Congressman Brandon Gill, responded, "This is exactly the problem with modern feminism — it downplays the miracle of life and the true power of motherhood." Conservative commentator Isabel Brown also took aim, calling Obama a "supposed feminist icon" who 'dismisses the one uniquely female role that should be celebrated.' Various people online refused to agree with her ideology. One person said, 'Her position is anti-science and anti-reality!' During the same podcast, Obama criticised Republican men for staying silent on women's health issues, saying, "They sit on their hands… trading out women's health for a tax break or whatever it is." She also accused some Republican women of voting based on their husbands' preferences.

Jennie, IU Fans Outraged After ‘Damaging' Claims Go Viral: ‘K-Pop Stars Spend Night For Money'
Jennie, IU Fans Outraged After ‘Damaging' Claims Go Viral: ‘K-Pop Stars Spend Night For Money'

News18

time28-05-2025

  • News18

Jennie, IU Fans Outraged After ‘Damaging' Claims Go Viral: ‘K-Pop Stars Spend Night For Money'

Last Updated: A resurfaced clip from a podcast has sparked outrage for implying IU and BLACKPINK's Jennie were involved in 'paid sponsorship meetings'. A viral clip from a previously paywalled episode of the ABOVE the Influence Show podcast has sparked widespread outrage online for its controversial comments about Korean celebrities, including high-profile names like IU and BLACKPINK's Jennie. The remarks, made by hosts Michelle Kira Lee and Wootak Kim, have been called 'baseless" and 'harmful" by fans, especially those within the K-pop fandom. The now-viral footage, originally from a bonus clip shared three months ago, began circulating widely on social media on May 28. In the clip, Michelle is heard saying, 'All the K-pop stars in Korea are wh*res, all the Korean actresses are wh*res. Apparently, every Korean celebrity/actress there's a price tag on their head. And if you're rich enough, like a Chinese businessman, you can go to these entertainment companies and request to spend a night even with the top K-Pop stars. Even IU, 500 thousand dollars a night." To this, Wootak Kim adds, 'My friend, whom I went to some summer camp with, is the son of a BMW heir. And he f*d Jennie from BLACKPINK." When Michelle probes further, 'Like, he paid for her?" Wootak responds, 'Yeah. Paid for her. He showed me this video. That's how I know it was real." He later states that he had not actually seen the alleged video and that he was merely quoting someone else. Admirers of IU and BLACKPINK, especially Jennie, denounced the hosts for making defamatory and unsubstantiated claims. Many urged legal action, describing the clip as deeply disrespectful and damaging to the reputations of the artists mentioned. Facing mounting backlash, both Michelle and Wootak issued statements on social media clarifying their intent and context. Michelle Kira Lee wrote, 'I want to take a moment to directly address the viral clip circulating online and the rumours that have followed." She emphasised that the clip was 'edited out of context" and did not reflect her personal views. 'The circulating video is edited out of context and does not reflect my beliefs, intentions, or values," she said. Wootak also attempted to clarify his comments, writing on Instagram, 'All you kpop stans freaking out right now, get your facts straight. I am not hating or attacking Jennie, simply telling a story I HEARD. It was not bashing but simply repeating it because the topic was how dark the kpop industry can be and why idols have high suicide rates and how crazy these 'slave' contracts can be." First Published:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store