Michelle Obama sparked a wave of online criticism Friday after sharing a New Year’s message with her Instagram followers.
The former first lady shared a video wishing her followers “Happy Holidays” and highlighting the work of the Obama Presidential Center as 2024 comes to an end. However, critics expressed displeasure that her video begins on a negative note.
“Happy holidays to everyone. I understand it’s been a difficult few months for many of us, and that people are feeling a little anxious and uncertain,” Obama says in the video.
“But even in these difficult times, there are many reasons to be hopeful,” she adds, before mentioning programs run by the Obama Foundation.
Hundreds of Instagram users commented on Obama’s video within hours of it going live. While many thanked her for the message and expressed support for the Obama Foundation, some supporters of President-elect Trump interpreted Obama’s remarks.
Their takeaway was that when she mentioned “a difficult few months,” she was referring to Trump’s victory, and they expressed their concerns.
“Michelle, America is looking forward to a brighter future and prosperity for the country. 2025-2029! “There is no anxiety here,” one user replied.
“A difficult few years from the damage the Biden administration has caused!” added another commenter. “Things have never looked better since Donald Trump won the election! The people hold the power! Not even all the celebrities could change that!”
“We are certain it won’t be worse than your husband’s administration or the Biden administration,” another person said. “That we are CERTAIN.”
Obama supporters, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for her video by sharing heart emojis and other positive comments.
“Thank you for your message of hope,” a user responded. “It is so much needed.”
Throughout the 2024 campaign, the Obamas served as top surrogates for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. Michelle Obama spoke at several Harris rallies and gave a speech in Pennsylvania three days before the election, describing Trump as a “skilled con man” who has poured gasoline “on other people’s genuine pain, anger, and fear.”
“We don’t always get it right, but here in America, we rise more than we fall,” Obama stated on November 2 in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
In difficult times, she believes the country requires leaders who will “connect with people’s pain and address the systemic issues at their root, not leaders who stoke our fears and focus our fury on one another.”
However, following the election, the Obamas issued a joint statement congratulating Trump on his victory while stating, “This is obviously not the outcome we hoped for.”
“In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything,” the president’s wife said. “But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people with whom we deeply disagree.”
