Former First Lady Michelle Obama may have left the White House nearly a decade ago, but she apparently still has strong opinions about what should—and should not—be changed inside the historic residence.
Obama recently used an essay celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary to highlight the importance of preserving the White House, drawing attention to the restoration efforts of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Although she carefully avoided mentioning President Donald Trump or First Lady Melania Trump by name, her remarks appeared to carry an unmistakable message about the sweeping renovations taking place under the current administration.
The essay, published October 8 as part of the “In Pursuit” project, examined how America’s first families have approached their responsibilities toward the executive mansion. However, Obama’s emphasis on preserving tradition and respecting the building’s historical character quickly invited comparisons to Trump’s ambitious plans to modernize the property.
In one particularly pointed passage, Obama suggested that occupying the White House should never be confused with owning it.
