Full Interview: Michelle Obama Talks To Stephen Colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2 minutes read

Michelle Obama's memoir "Becoming" is the best-selling book of 2018, detailing her experiences in the White House and beyond. She highlights personal challenges, family dynamics, and the importance of moral leadership, aiming to inspire hope and unity for future generations.

Insights

  • Michelle Obama's memoir "Becoming" became the best-selling book of 2018, showcasing the immense interest in her personal story and experiences.
  • Michelle Obama's reflections on the challenges faced during her time in the White House highlight the complexities of maintaining a sense of normalcy, dealing with emotional struggles, and the immense pressure of being in the public eye, revealing the human side of political figures and their families.

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Recent questions

  • What is Michelle Obama's best-selling book?

    "Becoming"

  • How did Michelle Obama remember her White House years?

    Through interviews with a friend

  • What challenges did Michelle Obama face in the White House?

    Emotional challenges like attending a funeral and celebrating same-sex marriage legalization on the same day

  • How did Michelle Obama and Barack maintain their marriage?

    By avoiding policy discussions at home

  • What did Michelle Obama emphasize about moral leadership?

    The importance of setting a high standard of behavior

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Summary

00:00

Michelle Obama's "Becoming" Memoir: Best-Selling 2018 Story

  • Michelle Obama's new memoir, "Becoming," is the best-selling book of 2018.
  • In the preface of the book, Michelle describes making cheese toast by toasting bread and then microwaving it with cheddar.
  • Michelle kept a journal while dating but didn't have time for one in the White House, relying on interviews with a friend to remember those years.
  • The White House years were so busy that Michelle forgot visiting some countries and had to be reminded with pictures.
  • Michelle and her family faced emotional challenges, like attending a funeral and celebrating same-sex marriage legalization on the same day.
  • The White House security made it difficult for Michelle and her daughter Malia to sneak out to see the lights outside.
  • Michelle and her family tried to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children despite the unusual circumstances of their lives.
  • Michelle and Barack Obama had a partnership in their marriage, with Michelle avoiding policy discussions at home.
  • Michelle encouraged Barack to balance seriousness with joy, like celebrating Halloween during an economic crisis.
  • The pressure of being the first family meant feeling the need to be perfect, with Michelle crying for 30 minutes after leaving the White House.

16:04

Michelle Obama's Moral Leadership and Hope

  • Michelle Obama and her team felt immense pressure to set a high standard of behavior, knowing they were being watched as representatives of their race and gender.
  • They maintained a careful tone, language, and behavior, aware that they were seen as moral compasses, especially by children.
  • Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of moral leadership in the White House, urging voters to consider the behavior and values they want in a president.
  • Michelle Obama and her team were deeply affected by the results of the election, focusing on comforting and guiding their diverse staff and the country through the aftermath.
  • Michelle Obama highlighted the significance of traveling and meeting people across the country to understand the decency and kindness present in all communities, regardless of political views.
  • She stressed the importance of not letting current events cloud our perception of others, advocating for a closer, more personal understanding to combat division.
  • Michelle Obama expressed her desire to be remembered for instilling hope in young people and emphasized the necessity of maintaining a positive, hopeful outlook for future generations.
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