Former First Lady Michelle Obama has embarked on a promotional tour for her new book, "The Light We Carry," but her recent media appearances have sparked discussions about perceived biases in how first ladies are treated by the press and public. In interviews across major networks, Obama expressed feelings of being under intense scrutiny as the first Black first lady, claiming she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, were not afforded the same "grace" as other presidential couples.
During a November 2 appearance on ABC's "20/20" special titled "Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look," anchor Robin Roberts interviewed Obama about her experiences. Roberts quoted from Obama's book: "We were all too aware that as a first Black couple, we couldn’t afford any missteps. And that as a Black woman, I was under a particularly white hot glare." Obama responded, according to the broadcast, by saying, "Making a mistake in a political environment where you're the first and people are – where your opponents are using your race as a fear-based strategy to make you seem like the other, then everything matters."
Obama further elaborated in the interview, stating, "You couldn’t afford to get anything wrong, because you didn’t get the – at least until the country came to know us, we didn’t get the grace that I think some other families have gotten." This comment came amid promotions for her coffee-table book, which features fashion photos and personal stories, priced at $50. The book tour has included stops on ABC, CBS, and NBC, highlighting her style and influence during her time in the White House from 2009 to 2017.
In a separate appearance on CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Obama discussed feeling "lost" amid current White House norms under President Donald Trump. Colbert asked when she realized fashion could be a form of power, to which Obama replied, "I knew very quickly that I had to control every aspect of how I showed up in the world. It was a race to let the country learn me for me before they learn this other crazy woman that they were talking about, the angry bitter Black woman that was a terrorist and a danger to her country, and didn’t love her country."
She continued in the interview: "And how I showed up in the world played a huge role in just reminding people that we're normal people. Yes, we’re Black. But we bleed red, and we love red, white and blue."
Obama also touched on portraying the first lady role as multifaceted, saying, "I wanted to take advantage of the fact that as the First Lady, yes, you can be smart and educated and beautiful, and sexy and interesting and all those things. And yes, you can be a Black woman, a tall 5-foot-11 Black woman." These remarks were part of a broader narrative where Obama contrasted her experiences with those of previous first ladies, emphasizing the unique pressures faced by her family as the first African American occupants of the White House.
Comparisons to other first ladies have been a recurring theme in coverage of Obama's tour. Reports highlight how the Obamas were often likened to John and Jackie Kennedy for their style and grace during the 2008 presidential campaign. However, Obama claimed in her NBC interview with Jenna Bush Hager that "the light was a little bit brighter because politics created an otherness. There were some people who tried to paint everything we did as a sign that we weren't ready, that we weren't suited, that we weren't American enough."
Critics, as reported in opinion pieces, argue that the Obamas received overwhelmingly positive media attention from the outset. For instance, when Barack Obama first gained national prominence in 2004, media outlets praised the couple extensively. Conservative commentators have pointed out that any harsh criticism was often dismissed as racially motivated, with one analysis describing the media's affection as overflowing "like Niagara Falls."
A point of contrast raised in recent reports involves First Lady Melania Trump's treatment during her own media appearances. In an October 2018 ABC "20/20" special, anchor Tom Llamas posed pointed questions to Trump, including, "You're not the first First Lady to have to deal with her husband's alleged infidelities. Has this put a strain on your marriage?" Llamas also asked, "During the ‘Access Hollywood’ incident during the campaign, your husband apologized to you. Has your husband apologized to you since you've been in the White House?" and closed with, "You mentioned you still have a good marriage. Do you love your husband?"
These questions were described in some reports as rude and personal, unlike the gushing tone in Obama's interviews. For example, Roberts began her special by saying, "As First Lady, you shot out of a cannon, and every eyeball in the world is gonna be on you." Similarly, a 2016 CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey hailed Obama as a "pop-culture icon" and "the coolest First Lady in U.S. history."
Obama's tour has also included swipes at the Trump administration, such as comments on the reported demolition of the White House's East Wing to build a new ballroom. In her Colbert appearance, she expressed concerns about norms and standards, saying Americans need to decide on them. This comes against the backdrop of her past statements, like in February 2008, when she said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country," which drew criticism from conservatives as "strikingly ungracious," according to National Review's Jim Geraghty.
Background on the Obamas' post-White House endeavors provides further context. After leaving office in January 2017, the couple secured a book deal estimated at $65 million. Michelle Obama's previous book, "Becoming," was a bestseller, and her new release focuses on her fashion choices and personal anecdotes. The tour's media blitz has been compared to previous promotions, with some outlets noting the fawning nature of interviews with Democratic figures on shows like Colbert's.
Related reports mention other political figures' interactions with Obama. For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned Obama only three times in her 300-page book, and some liberal critics have slammed Harris's media tour as "embarrassing" and "unhelpful." Additionally, a report claimed Melania Trump laughed off an offer for a Vanity Fair cover.
The broader implications of Obama's claims touch on ongoing debates about race, media bias, and political discourse in the United States. As the first Black first lady, her experiences highlight persistent challenges in representation and scrutiny. Critics argue that her narrative overlooks the adulation she received, while supporters see it as a valid recounting of systemic biases.
Looking ahead, Obama's book is expected to continue generating buzz, with potential for more interviews and public appearances. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, her comments on political norms could influence discussions about leadership and inclusivity in American politics. The contrasts drawn with other first ladies may fuel further analysis of how media and public perceptions shape the roles of presidential spouses.