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Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama revealed another reason why she skipped Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Her husband attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Trump’s inauguration in January.
Obama initially said it was a choice she made “for herself,” but she has now given new insights into the decision.
“It starts with not wearing any clothes,” Obama said on her podcast Monday episode.
“I mean, I’m sure, because I’m always ready for any funeral,” Obama added. “I walk around in the right clothes, I travel with clothes just in case it pops up. So I thought, if I’m not going to do this, I have to tell my team that I don’t even want to prepare a piece of clothing, right?
The inauguration follows former presidents Barack Obama and Michelle Obama shared a statement with the Associated Press confirming that the former first lady will not attend January 20
“Former President Barack Obama has been confirmed to attend the 60th inauguration ceremony,” the statement said. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
On January 9, Michelle Obama also did not attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.
In a conversation with Robinson, her brother and actor Taraji P. Henson, Obama recognizes the speculation that her marriage is in trouble is why she skipped the inauguration.
“I decided to skip the inauguration, something people didn’t realize, or I decided to make a choice early this year to get me this ridicule and criticism,” she said. “People can’t believe I said no for any other reason, they have to assume my marriage was broken, you know?”
Henson praised Obama’s decision not to participate, calling women “shock accumulators.”
“You have to absorb vibrations for your husband, kids, moms, family, loved ones, because you sit in the public eye, you have to absorb vibrations for your husband, moms, family, loved ones, loved ones,” said Henson. “It’s not fair to you. When are you living for you? I applaud you. I’m glad you have taken care of your way.”
Now, Obama said, she is trying to teach her daughters Sasha and Maria, “the art of saying no.”
“I hope they start practicing the art of saying no now because I see that in them – it’s pleasant, outstanding, not wanting to take anything for granted, always showing gratitude,” Obama said. “It feels like it’s enough now. It’s a practice. It’s the muscle you have to build. Because if you don’t build it often, you won’t develop it.”
She also knocked down divorce rumors in a podcast on April 9 about Sophia Bush’s “Ongoing Work” podcast and said skipping the inauguration has nothing to do with her marriage.
“I’m really trying to have my own life here and deliberately practice making choices that suit me,” Obama said. “And, not doing what is considered the right thing, but doing what is right for me, it’s all-out – it’s a hard thing for me.”
