Michelle Obama, like many women in the United States, fought hard to elect Hillary Clinton president. And just like many women, she knows what it's like to deal with the aftermath. In her final interview at the White House, Michelle Obama opens up to Oprah about her husband's legacy and the uncertainty that comes with a Donald Trump administration. And judging by a preview clip aired on CBS This Morning, the exchange will make you wish for a Michelle/Oprah ticket in 2020.
Oprah asked her if she felt her husband's administration achieved its goal of giving America hope. The first lady said yes, and that was especially apparent after Donald Trump won the election. "We feel the difference now. See, now, we are feeling what not having hope feels like," she said. "Hope is necessary. It's a necessary concept and Barack didn't just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes. [He] and I and so many believe that—what else do you have if you don't have hope? What do you give your kids if you can't give them hope?"
She also talked about how her husband gave America what it desperately needed: a grown-up to tell them it's going to be okay. As usual, she didn't mention Trump by name, but it's clear she means the next guy in charge will likely not serve that role as well:
"Our children respond to crises they way they see us respond. You know, it's like the toddler that bumps its head on the table, and they look up at you to figure out if it hurts. […] I feel that Barack has been that for the nation in ways that people will come to appreciate. Having a grown-up in the White House that can say to you in times of crisis and in turmoil, 'Hey, it's going to be OK, let's remember the good things that we have, let's look at the future, let's look at all the things we're building.' All of this is important for our kids to stay focused, and to feel like their work isn't in vain, that their lives aren't in vain. What do we do if we don't have hope, Oprah?"
The first lady also talked about how she wishes people didn't divide themselves by factors like, race, gender, or wealth. "It's sad because the thing that least defines us as people is the color of our skin," she said. You can watch that clip below. The full interview airs Monday night on CBS.
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