Donald Trump has introduced a number of hard-hitting policies during his first 100 days in office. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Michelle Obama revealed one Trump-era policy that keeps her up at night.
She spoke during a wide-ranging chat on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.
She opened up about Trump’s possible second term.
She shared her anxieties, frustrations, and her refusal to sacrifice personal peace.
Michelle Obama said her main concern is what’s happening to immigrants in today’s climate.
“It’s not fear for myself anymore,” she added.
“I ride in a motorcade with police escort. I’m Michelle Obama.”
Still, she admitted her concerns hit close to home.
She said, “I still worry about my daughters, even if people recognize them.”
Now 61, Obama said she worries about people of color and immigrants across the U.S.
She cited unchecked bias, racism, and ignorance as her biggest fears in today’s political climate.
Michelle Obama said bias, racism, and ignorance fuel harmful policies.
She fears people of color won’t have enough advocates to protect them.
“That frightens me. It keeps me up at night,” she said.
She asked how people can feel safe at work or school,
knowing someone could judge them and upend their lives instantly.
Since returning to the White House, the 47th president increased deportations.
Reports cite 350 deportation flights since his January inauguration.
Trump’s orders include election changes, shutting down the Education Department,
and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Obama raised concerns about migrants losing due process under current leadership.
She said today’s decisions no longer go through proper courts.
She criticized leaders who decide who belongs in America without fairness or legal review.
Her brother, Craig Robinson, joined her on the podcast.
He recalled a traumatic moment when a Black officer falsely accused him of stealing a bike.
Michelle said today’s immigration enforcement echoes that same racial bias.
Barack Obama also spoke about American politics this month at Hamilton College—
without mentioning Trump directly.
Barack Obama said recent economic policies and tariffs won’t help America.
But he’s more concerned about government threats to universities over student free speech.
He criticized the White House for warning law firms:
“If you represent people we dislike, we’ll cut off our business.”
He said that behavior breaks the trust Americans have with their government.
Michelle Obama also shared why she skipped Trump’s 2025 inauguration.
She revealed the reason on her podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson.
Her absence sparked speculation, especially after she also missed Jimmy Carter’s funeral that month.
Michelle Obama said her choice to skip Trump’s 2025 inauguration started with not wanting to pick a dress.
“I always travel with clothes just in case,” she said.
“But this time, I told my team—don’t even prep a dress.”
She explained it was easy to give in and “do the right thing.”
But she chose not to go.
Critics read deeper meaning into her absence.
Some even suggested it showed political division or trouble in her marriage.
Barack Obama attended both events alone.
Michelle said her decision had nothing to do with scandal.
It was about protecting her peace.
“I’m finally defining life on my own terms,” she said.
She’s using therapy to figure that out.
Now, she’s teaching Sasha and Malia to say no.
She said, “I want them to build that muscle—
to stop pleasing and start knowing they are enough now.”
Michelle attended Trump’s 2020 inauguration,
but her stance has since changed.
She’s called Trump “a convicted felon, a slumlord,”
and “a predator found liable for sexual abuse.”
