Michelle Obama says 'loud and reckless' Trump put her family at risk with birther conspiracies
Former first lady Michelle Obama has remained somewhat tight-lipped about President Trump since the 2016 presidential election, but in her new memoir, she doesn't hold back.
In Becoming, which will be released on Nov. 13, Obama says Trump's false conspiracy theory that her husband, former President Barack Obama, was not born in the United States was "crazy and mean-spirited," with its "bigotry and xenophobia hardly concealed," but these "loud and reckless innuendos" were also "deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks." Obama says this made her fear for her family's safety because "someone with an unstable mind" could drive to Washington with a loaded gun and try to harm her daughters. "And for this I'd never forgive him," Obama writes of Trump, according to an excerpt published by The Washington Post.
Trump spent years promoting birtherism, at one point saying he had information from an "extremely credible" source that could prove Obama's birth certificate was fake, but he never offered up this supposed proof. He finally admitted in a press conference in September 2016 that Obama was, in fact, born in the United States, but never apologized or said he was wrong.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Obama also recalls in Becoming her shock at the 2016 election result, saying she could not believe that a "misogynist" would be elected over Hillary Clinton, whom she calls an "exceptionally qualified female candidate," per The Associated Press. She says she tried to block out memories of the election, and she recalls that her body "buzzed with fury" after she heard the Access Hollywood tape, on which Trump bragged about groping women without their consent. Obama says that what Trump was essentially saying on tape was, "I can hurt you and get away with it."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Immunotherapy and hay fever
The Explainer Research shows that the treatment could provide significant relief from symptoms for many hay fever sufferers
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published