Former First Lady Michelle Obama sparked controversy on Friday after commenting on Jon Stewart’s “IMO” podcast. She mentioned she does not miss the presence of her adult daughters at home, a statement that has drawn both attention and criticism.
California Republican Party Delegate and mother Elizabeth Barcohana shared her perspective with Fox News Digital, suggesting Obama’s comments carried undertones of resentment amid the ongoing national conversation about motherhood.
During the podcast, Obama responded in a straightforward manner when Stewart reflected on the role parenting plays in adding purpose and structure to life. He then queried if she missed that aspect of parenting.
“I’m good,” was Obama’s succinct reply.
Barcohana interpreted Obama’s words as a sign of relief now that the demanding phase of raising her daughters, Malia and Sasha, has concluded.
“There is a difference between a mother expressing exhaustion from the demands of motherhood — which is real and relatable — and expressing resentment,” Barcohana said. “Resentment is what appears to come through in Michelle Obama’s remarks, and it is especially painful to hear amid the national conversation surrounding the Lindsay Clancy trial.
“She seems happy that her daughters’ childhoods are over. That is not a relatable feeling for most mothers at all.”
Obama said she did not miss having her daughters at home but immediately stressed that she loved them and planned to see them for dinner that night.
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“I don’t miss them. I don’t. I love them. I’m going to see them tonight for dinner. I love them,” she said. “But Barack cried when they went to college. I was like, ‘Bye, little — goodbye.’ Now I … now Friday nights aren’t wrecked with terror and fear about, ‘Where are you? Where are you?’”
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh accused Obama of appearing eager for her children to leave despite the assistance he claimed the family’s wealth afforded her.
“And yet she still couldn’t wait for the kids to leave because the minor demands they made on her time and energy were still too much for her. Just a total raging narcissist,” Walsh said.
Political commentator Link Lauren criticized Obama for what he characterized as repeated complaints about her family and lifestyle.
“This podcast is just her sitting around her mansion in Martha’s Vineyard complaining about how hard her life of luxury is and how much she despises her husband and children,” Lauren said.
Obama further explained her empty nest reaction by saying she welcomed her daughters’ independence and had already spent substantial time actively raising them.
“I love my schedule. I have a great schedule, and it’s all mine,” Obama said. “I mean, I’ve had so much quality time with my children. So much. Yeah, yeah. I know them inside and out.”
Obama also praised Barack Obama’s parenting last year, explaining that both parents deliberately prioritized their daughters throughout his presidency.
“It was important for both of us, for me and Barack, to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years, you know,” Obama said.