Former first lady Michelle Obama's decision to skip President Donald Trump's second inauguration ignited a firestorm of speculation regarding her marriage—which she addressed on Wednesday's episode of her podcast.

In a candid conversation on her podcast IMO with brother Craig Robinson and actress Taraji P. Henson, the former first lady said her choice was difficult but necessary for her well-being.

"It took everything in my power to not do the thing that was perceived as right but do the thing that was right for me," Obama said.

Her absence at the January inauguration raised eyebrows, especially as former President Barack Obama attended the ceremony alongside former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and their respective spouses, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.

While her supporters viewed her decision as a silent protest—particularly after her active role campaigning against Trump ahead of the 2024 election—others speculated that her marriage was in trouble.

Obama emphasized that her decision was not rooted in marital discord, addressing online rumors that she and Barack Obama were heading for divorce after she also chose not to attend former President Jimmy Carter's funeral.

"My decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me were met with such ridicule and criticism," she said. "People couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart, you know."

Originally published on Latin Times

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Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Podcast, Marriage, Divorce, Rumors, Gossip