Mon Apr 14 15:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Former First Lady Michelle Obama Addresses Divorce Rumors, Explains Absence from Trump Inauguration
**London** – Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed swirling rumors of marital discord with former President Barack Obama in a recent podcast interview, offering insight into her decisions regarding past public appearances. Mrs. Obama’s absence from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Trump’s inauguration fueled speculation of a rift between her and her husband.
While a scheduling conflict explained her absence from Mr. Carter’s funeral, no explanation was initially given for her absence at President Trump’s inauguration. Speaking on Sophia Bush’s “Work in Progress” podcast, Mrs. Obama clarified that her choices were her own.
“I chose to do what’s best for me, not what I had to do,” she stated, referencing the decision to skip the inauguration as a “real big example.” She explained that the public’s inability to comprehend her independent decision-making led to the divorce rumors. “People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” she said.
Mrs. Obama did not directly address the rumors or mention President Trump by name, but emphasized the importance of prioritizing personal decisions, especially now that her daughters are grown and she’s no longer in the White House. The former First Lady focused on her current self-reflection, stating, “Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, ‘Who do I truly want to be every day?’” The podcast interview offered a rare glimpse into Mrs. Obama’s personal life and her approach to navigating public scrutiny.
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