Michelle Obama dishes on awkward Trump gift exchange in first post-White House interview
The former first lady sits down with talk show host to debrief on life after the office
The former first lady sits down with talk show host to debrief on life after the office
Michelle Obama is set to make her first television appearance since leaving the White House a year ago.
Airing on Thursday, Ellen Degeneres sits down with the former first lady to debrief on life after the office.
In a preview of the episode from The Hollywood Reporter, Ellen asks Mrs. Obama about the obvious awkward exchange between her and the Trumps during last year’s inauguration.
“Hey, I have a question and I think a lot of people have the same question. So, when the transfer was happening, when Donald Trump and his wife were moving into the White House, there was a gift exchange,” DeGeneres says.
“Oh yea…the Tiffany’s box,” Obama responded.
The former first lady went on to reveal that inside the box was a “lovely frame.”
The awkward moment of confusion
Ellen then tries to dig deeper by showing a video clip of the memorable encounter. The host points out that Mrs. Obama looked visibly confused.
“Well, there’s all this protocol. I mean, this is like a state visit, so they tell you that you’re going to do this, they’re going to stand here. Never before do you get this gift, so I’m sort of like, ‘OK.… What am I supposed to do with this gift?’” Obama explained.
Obama says she was indeed confused at the moment because no one ever came to take the box from her hands.
“And everyone cleared out and no one would come and take the box. And I’m thinking, ‘Do we take the picture with…?’ And then my husband saved the day — see he grabbed the box and took it back inside. But everybody cleared out. No staff, no one. I was like, ‘What do you do with the box?’”
To preview the “Ellen” episode, Mrs. Obama took to her Snapchat to show some behind the scenes moments during the show’s taping.
The appearance also happens to be for Ellen’s 60th birthday celebration.
Take a look at Obama’s Snapchat photos below.
(Photo: Snapchat)
(Photo: Snapchat)
(Photo: Snapchat)
