Michelle Obama Reflects on Controversial 2009 Air Force One Outfit Choice
During an episode of her podcast, IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, former First Lady Michelle Obama detailed a moment that left her ‘infuriating’ during her time in the White House. The incident centered around a debate over appropriate attire for a Grand Canyon vacation in 2009, a decision that ultimately sparked public backlash and media criticism.
Obama recounted how she was left exasperated by the scrutiny she faced for her clothing choices in contrast to her husband, Barack Obama, who did not need to consider such expectations. While she fretted over whether to wear Bermuda shorts or a dress for the trip, she noted that Barack simply rolled up his sleeves and wore a white shirt. ‘That was how he changed,’ she said.
The former First Lady emphasized the double standard in how the media treated the two of them, highlighting how she had to navigate the scrutiny of her appearance while her husband was free from such expectations. ‘The fact that we had to spend time thinking about that kind of stuff in ways that my husband didn’t — it was really infuriating,’ she explained.
Ultimately, she opted for the Bermuda shorts, describing the choice as a compromise that felt ‘mostly me.’ However, the decision did not go unnoticed. The media response was swift, with headlines questioning her outfit, such as, ‘Who Wears Short Shorts? Michelle Obama,’ as well as others that characterized her attire as ‘too casual.’ Obama later stated in 2013 that she would not repeat the choice, citing the ‘huge stink’ it caused and the understanding that they were on vacation.
Her experience has drawn comparisons to other First Ladies who have faced similar controversies. For instance, Melania Trump faced backlash for wearing a baseball cap and jeans during a visit to Texas after Hurricane Harvey and again for wearing a green jacket with the slogan ‘I really don’t care. Do u?’ during a 2018 trip to the border.
Melania Trump later explained that the green jacket was a message to the liberal media and critics, stating, ‘I want to show them that I don’t care.’ This incident, like Obama’s, underscored the public’s scrutiny of First Lady fashion choices.
Despite the criticism, Michelle Obama’s reflection on the moment offers a glimpse into the challenges she faced as First Lady. The episode of her podcast, IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, continues to explore the public’s expectations of the First Lady and the broader implications of such scrutiny.