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Meghan Mark II?

(248 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 16-Jan-25 09:04:50

“Staying true to my values”.

So says Michelle Obama as she announces she won’t be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration next Monday.

Personally I think there are expectations around her position as former FLOTUS. She ought to attend in my opinion. The voters have made their choice - sorry Michelle. It’s not ‘all about you’. See the bigger picture here. It’s a State occasion, you should be there. “Your truth”? Pah!

Allira Thu 16-Jan-25 10:40:54

Was Muchelle Obama a politician?
No? (More's the pity.)
I thought not.

Then why should she be expected to go?

Allira Thu 16-Jan-25 10:41:10

Michelle -sorry!

Babs03 Thu 16-Jan-25 10:41:52

Good for you Michelle. If I was in her shoes I wouldn’t go either. Whether is an obligation or not. Trump was elected President that cannot be challenged as a democratic decision by US citizens, but above and beyond that nobody has to do anything to support the man or feel obliged to share the same oxygen.

Parsley3 Thu 16-Jan-25 10:45:04

I am staying true to my values by not watching the inauguration. Will Mrs Trump be there or is she still estranged from her husband as rumour has it? As for Michelle Obama, good for her. She did her bit as First Lady and can do what she likes now. I don't think the incoming president will care a jot because his eyes will be on the size of the crowd.

Calendargirl Thu 16-Jan-25 10:54:22

If the former First Ladies usually go, then I think she should.

The fact DT didn’t go to Biden’s would just show she is being the bigger person.

If they don’t normally go, then probably not, up to her.

Having said that, I remember seeing at Trump’s inauguration, he and Melania arrived at the White House to be greeted by the Obamas. Melania presented Michelle with a gift, as is apparently traditional, Michelle more or less tossed it aside with hardly a look.

Whatever their feelings about the new Presidency, I thought that was extremely ungracious in front of the world’s cameras.

Granniesunite Thu 16-Jan-25 10:57:03

Respect and admiration for such a strong woman upholding her moral principals in spite of all the misinformation thrown at her.

Watch now how social media and MSM treat her.

Georgesgran Thu 16-Jan-25 11:01:53

Well done Michelle. A lady with principles.

Wrong, IMO, to mention her and MM in the same sentence. No comparison.

merlotgran Thu 16-Jan-25 11:11:45

I think she should go. She was a popular FLOTUS and accompanying her husband, even if she doesn’t want to, would show that she’s capable of rising above her personal feelings. She doesn’t have to do anything other than support her husband.

Maybe she should take a leaf out of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s book when he had to accompany the Queen on a visit to Ireland and shake hands with Martin McGuinness, who had a hand in murdering his uncle.

How about ‘When they go high, we go higher?’

Rosie51 Thu 16-Jan-25 11:16:05

I think the phrase Michelle used was "when they go low we go high". That's why I think in her position I'd be attending, much as I'd not want to.

merlotgran Thu 16-Jan-25 11:17:33

Rosie51

I think the phrase Michelle used was "when they go low we go high". That's why I think in her position I'd be attending, much as I'd not want to.

Yes I know that. I altered it to emphasise my comments.

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 11:17:50

Casdon

Women are not an accessory to their husband’s job, she has long been quite clear what she thinks about Trump’s morality, and I can’t think of a single reason why she should be obliged to go against her principles to attend. I doubt if any of the ex presidents are attending with any joy whatsoever in their hearts.

My sentiments exactly. Why should women be expected to fill the role of 'spouse to assist'?

ViceVersa Thu 16-Jan-25 11:23:54

Good for her. In her shoes, I'd do the same. Can't think of any reason (other than one) why she'd be compared with MM.

merlotgran Thu 16-Jan-25 11:24:24

My sentiments exactly. Why should women be expected to fill the role of 'spouse to assist'?

You could say this is where the connection to Meghan Markle becomes clear.

FLOTUS was a supporting role. She didn’t turn that down.

ronib Thu 16-Jan-25 12:00:42

merlogran Michelle Obama could not have turned down the role- unless she planned an instant divorce. She clearly loved her husband at the time and did a very good job with two small children as well. They were the power couple at that time.

Grandmadinosaur Thu 16-Jan-25 12:10:05

Good for Michelle. I’d be offended being compared to Meghan.

Rosie51 Thu 16-Jan-25 12:12:38

merlotgran

Rosie51

I think the phrase Michelle used was "when they go low we go high". That's why I think in her position I'd be attending, much as I'd not want to.

Yes I know that. I altered it to emphasise my comments.

Sorry, I missed your intention, took it as a quote.

Farzanah Thu 16-Jan-25 12:15:11

Why name this post Meghan Mark II I wonder? Was it meant to be inflammatory?
Michelle Obama is her own woman, she is intelligent and definitely not her husband’ s “accessory”.
Good for her in deciding not to attend.

Lathyrus3 Thu 16-Jan-25 12:17:00

Unconscious thought maybe?

Anniebach Thu 16-Jan-25 12:23:19

Very unkind thought

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 12:23:45

merlotgran

^My sentiments exactly. Why should women be expected to fill the role of 'spouse to assist'?^

You could say this is where the connection to Meghan Markle becomes clear.

FLOTUS was a supporting role. She didn’t turn that down.

How could she turn it down?

I wasn't interviewed for my husband's position, nor he for mine. I had no say over whether he accepted the role or not. Was MO given the choice when her husband was voted in to the role of President? I wasn't aware that their system worked like that.

I do understand that a supportive spouse will help where they can to ensure that their partner does well in their work, but the days when men were hired to do jobs and their chances of employment were enhanced if they could offer an unpaid 'spouse to assist' are long gone.

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 12:24:45

ViceVersa

Good for her. In her shoes, I'd do the same. Can't think of any reason (other than one) why she'd be compared with MM.

Oh. That hadn't occurred to me, but I take your point.

Lathyrus3 Thu 16-Jan-25 12:33:22

Anniebach

Very unkind thought

It wasn’t meant to be unkind.

Perhaps I was rather obtuse and we are thinking different things?

As in Viceversa/Doodledog

merlotgran Thu 16-Jan-25 12:36:32

ViceVersa
Good for her. In her shoes, I'd do the same. Can't think of any reason (other than one) why she'd be compared with MM.

Seriously? 😮

Iam64 Thu 16-Jan-25 13:46:09

Michelle Obama has always been impressive. This OP suggesting she’s a second Megan Markle is strange on many levels.
Unlike many, I don’t dislike, sneer or constantly criticise MMarkle. I don’t understand how wound up people get about her
But putting her in the same category asks MObama ??? Are you suggesting a joint bid for the Presidency, a job share so both can continue to have a life 😂

Norah Thu 16-Jan-25 13:55:53

Perhaps old expectations and traditions should remain in the past.

I expect most people wouldn't desire to attend, well done her.