Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, both appear to have dramatically different priorities for the next chapter of their lives.
While the 44th president described his aspirations for the future as “fun,” his wife had a more inward-looking plan — something that prompted conservative social media to recoil.
“Me,” Michelle told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” when asked to give a one-word description of her next chapter.
The former first lady smiled as her husband poked at ABC News host Robin Roberts for appearing to rate her answer higher than his.
Conservative critics were stunned at the former first lady’s self-oriented take.
“What a selfish and entitled person,” conservative operative Steve Guest remarked on X.
“First time I’ve felt bad for Barack,” X user Anthony Dohrmann sniped.
“She is so miserable,” another user chided.
“It’s remarkable that she has the same ego as her husband,” another user wrote.
Michelle has publicly complained about Barack not prioritizing her enough during his presidency, lamenting at one point in 2013 that she felt like a single mother.
She also raised eyebrows for skipping late President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Trump’s inauguration in early 2025, leaving her husband to go solo. Michelle was reportedly on an extended stay in Hawaii during the funeral.
“It started with not having anything to wear,” she later explained on a podcast about her forgoing the inauguration last year. “I don’t even want to have a dress ready,’ right? Because it’s so easy to just say ‘let me do the right thing.’”
“People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,” she added at another point.
Barack has admitted that his wanting to remain more active in politics has created “a genuine tension in our household, and it frustrates her.”
On Thursday, she paid tribute to his presidency and brought him to tears with emphatic praise of him during the ceremonial opening of his presidential library.
“You never fell for the temptation of a quick fix or an easy payday. You never changed from that idealistic summer associate who showed up on that rainy day when we first met without an umbrella,” she said.
“You always gave us the very best within you, and in doing so, you reminded the rest of us that we could too. Barack, there are no words to express how proud I am of the way you showed up.”
“It has been an honor to be by your side. You have made me a better person.”
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