Michelle Obama sparked a wave of criticism online on Friday after sharing a New Year’s message with her followers on Instagram.
The former first lady released a video wishing her supporters a “happy holiday” and highlighting the work of the Obama Presidential Center as 2024 draws to a close. But critics noted disapprovingly that her video began on a note sour.
“Happy Holidays, everyone. I know these last few months have been difficult for many of us and people are feeling a little anxious and uncertain,” Obama said in the video.
“But even in these difficult times, there are many reasons to remain hopeful,” she adds, before mentioning the programs run by the Obama Foundation.
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Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks before the arrival of Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally at Wings Event Center October 26, 2024, in Kalamazoo. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hundreds of Instagram users commented on Obama’s video a few hours after it was posted online. While many thanked her for her message and showed their support for the Obama Foundation, several supporters of President-elect Trump read Obama’s comments. What they took away was that she had Trump’s victory in mind when she spoke of a “rough few months,” and they made their objections known.
“Michelle, America is excited about what’s to come: a new horizon and prosperity for the nation. 2025-2029! No anxiety here,” one user replied.
“A difficult few years because of the damage caused by the Biden administration!” another commenter wrote. “Things have never been better since Trum won the election! The people have the power! Even all these celebrities couldn’t change that!”
“We’re sure it won’t be any worse than your husband’s administration or the Biden administration,” said a third. “That we are CERTAIN of it.”
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Michelle Obama wished her Instagram followers a “happy holiday” in a post-election message mentioning that these “last few months have been difficult.” (Fox News)
Obama’s supporters, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for his video and shared heart emojis and other positive comments.
“Thank you for your message of hope,” one user replied. “It’s so necessary.”
The Obamas were the best surrogates for the Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. Michelle Obama spoke at several rallies for Harris and gave a speech in Pennsylvania three days before the election, referring to Trump as a “slick con artist who poured gasoline” about the authentic pain, anger and fear of others.
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The Obamas were the main surrogates for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential campaign. (PA)
“We don’t always get it right, but here in America, we rise more than we fall,” Obama said in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on November 2.
In dark and difficult times, she said the country needs leaders who “will connect to the pain of the people and tackle systemic problems at the root, not leaders who stoke our fears and focus our fury on them.” on top of each other.”
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But after the election, the Obamas issued a joint statement congratulating Trump on his victory while acknowledging that “this is obviously not the outcome we were hoping for.”
“In a country as large and diverse as ours, we will not always agree on everything,” the Obamas said. “But progress requires that we show good faith and grace, even toward people with whom we deeply disagree.”