Michelle Obama on Gifts from Barack, Being Able to Drive Again & She Remembers Rob & Michele Reiner

Our first guest tonight might be the most popular person in the whole country. She is an author and a podcaster and former first lady of the United States. This is her newest number one bestseller. It is called The Look. Please welcome Michelle Obama.

How you doing?

AND

>> thank you for not only for being here, but thank you for being in the part of the Nelson's family Christmas party. I mean, what a family, you know, picture perfect. And they're military family, right? >> Army. Yeah. Yes, that's right. Yeah. Veterans. Yeah. >> Make sure to thank them for their service. Beautiful, beautiful family. And I'm I'm was excited to be a part of that. So, >> I'm glad you were. How many cards do the Obama send out for Christmas? >> You know, we checked. It's over a

100,000. >> No. >> Of some of our closest friends and family. But that incor that incorporates friends, family, business people, foundation people. So it's a lot of folks >> that we want to thank. >> Do you have to pay for postage or is that >> I I have no idea. >> Oh wow. Do you guys exchange gifts family wise? >> We You know what? I do. >> You do. What does that mean? You give the gifts or you receive the gifts? >> We get Everybody gets a gift. I'm generally the one who's orchestrating it

100,000. >> No. >> Of some of our closest friends and family. But that incor that incorporates friends, family, business people, foundation people. So it's a lot of folks >> that we want to thank. >> Do you have to pay for postage or is that >> I I have no idea. >> Oh wow. Do you guys exchange gifts family wise? >> We You know what? I do. >> You do. What does that mean? You give the gifts or you receive the gifts? >> We get Everybody gets a gift. I'm generally the one who's orchestrating it

because you know it's like our girls they you know they don't have any money. We're like don't take our money and buy us a gift. Like we know it's ours. >> Yeah. My kids do that too and they don't and they want credit for it and they don't really even do anything for >> they don't they don't. >> Yeah. It's a bad message, isn't it? >> But but we do exch we Christmas is huge. I am a big Christmas person. So, in the morning, we wake up, we have brunch, we have friends over, we read a letter from

Santa, we open the gifts, all of that. >> Who writes the letter from Santa? >> Uh, my uh sister-in-law's ex-husband. >> Really? >> Yes. >> So, don't let's not go there. Let's don't ask anymore. But >> he is my ex-in-law, but he writes this analytic. >> Does your husband get you good gifts? He does because >> does he have a consultant? >> Meredith Coupe, my stylist. >> I see. >> You know, he tried for a few years early on in our lives and you know I you I would open it up and oh yeah, you tried.

>> Have you ever returned one of his gifts? >> I have never returned it but there were times when I just he would just never see it again. >> You didn't return it because he would pout or you didn't >> Oh, it's just the sentimental value. It's the effort there. >> Oh, would you talk to my wife? Uh >> Molly, >> if mine are like I might as well get her a boomerang cuz it goes right back. >> Is it appropriate to give your book as a Christmas present for you to give your book as a Christmas present?

>> You know, I didn't do that. I just our close friends and family, I just send it to them and I thought I'm not going to double back and cheat and give them. So I we sent it out when it first came out and then people are still getting a gift from us. >> In the White House days, how many can you guess at how many holiday parties you'd go to during the month of December? >> It was numbers. It was weeks and weeks of holiday parties and there would be two or three a day and then the big one

would end in the evening where there would be thousands of people that would come and we would stand in the dip room and take photos for three hours straight. Three hours >> every time. >> For weeks. >> Yeah. >> It's like being Santa at the mall. >> It is. It is. And I find myself apologizing because you're supposed to be upstairs dancing and singing and drinking and you're standing in line waiting to see us. It just seems so unfair. >> Yeah. When is it >> seems like wamp wamp and a picture.

>> When is the last time you were at a mall? >> At a mall. Uh a mall. It has been a while. But in a store recently. >> Recently. A store. >> How did that work? >> Yeah. >> You wonder. >> Have you been any public places where people haven't recognized you in the last 10 years? >> Plenty. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I fly commercial sometimes. I'm driving now. See, the thing what we realized is that it's not me. It's the Secret Service that usually tips people off >> because you're walking along and some

big guy GOES, "WAIT, STOP." >> AND THEY'RE NOT paying attention. They look up. It's like, "Why? First of all, why are you touching me?" And then they look off and then it's me. So, what we've learned, our team, is that if we just everybody just quiets down. If I put on a cap, if I've got on a a a Lululemon something or other, I blend in with all the other ladies. And here's the thing, people, you all aren't looking at anybody. You know, everybody's on their phone these days.

So, it's very easy for me to get around because nobody's looking at anybody else. >> Can I ask you about driving because that really interests me that you're driving. When did you start driving again? >> Uh, this the summer before last. And I only am allowed to really drive on Martha's Vineyard, which is a small island. And there's there's no highways and I can, you know, they're following me. There's somebody in front, >> there's somebody in the back. I mean, it's kind of like you're pretend

driving, you know? >> It's like, yeah, Disneyland. >> But I'm alone in the car by myself. I can roll the windows down, which I can't do in the car. I I haven't had a window open in our cars because that is dangerous apparently. It's like what's the point of securing you if you got the window down just hanging out. You know, they want you in. And the other thing that I realized that I hadn't done since the girls were adults that there was one day that Malia and I got in the car

together, just the two of us, and she was on the radio on the playing music and we were alone together in a car. Was that weird for her to see you behind the wheel of a car? Was were you behind? >> She had seen me before. Remember I you know it wasn't until later that we became us. >> Oh, okay. >> And until then we were very little though right? >> She was 10, seven. Yeah. Yeah. >> Did you remember how to do it? >> Yeah. It's like riding a bike. I'm pretty good at it, you know. I think

everybody was nervous. They're still kind of nervous when they get in the car because it's just that it's like, do you know what you're doing? >> And these cars are different. There are no keys. Now that I think about it, yes, the technology is very different from when you're >> very different. So, it took a while. It takes me a second to sort of how does this thing work? You know, how does music use it, hook up, how does this and Barack is driven. He's driven really twice. Yeah.

>> And does he get excited too? >> Yes, we do. It's just like normaly is exciting and it's crazy. It sounds crazy, but we some of our best days driving alone in the car. >> I bet I bet I love to drive. I can't imagine losing that. You You do a podcast with your brother, Craig, who's a great guy, who seems like a great guy. He was here one time. You guys have fun doing that, right? >> You have so much fun. Um I probably wouldn't do it if I weren't doing it with him. I like to do things in

community. So the no, you know, our higher grine said, you know, it would be great if you did a podcast. And I was like, well, just me talking to people, that seems so lonely. And then uh our producer said, what about Craig? Because everybody everybody loves my brother. He's just amazing. Yeah, he's very likable. >> He's so likable. And I was like, "Yeah, that would be fun." And it was right around the time that we lost our mom. >> So, it really felt like a way for us to

community. So the no, you know, our higher grine said, you know, it would be great if you did a podcast. And I was like, well, just me talking to people, that seems so lonely. And then uh our producer said, what about Craig? Because everybody everybody loves my brother. He's just amazing. Yeah, he's very likable. >> He's so likable. And I was like, "Yeah, that would be fun." And it was right around the time that we lost our mom. >> So, it really felt like a way for us to

keep honoring her um because we now are working together on a regular basis. >> She would like that. >> And we're we're forced to see one another on a regular basis. Not like we have to force it, but it's scheduled. It's work. >> Yeah. And so his kids come to some of the tapings and so it's really really fun. >> You guys had Cat Williams the comedian. >> Oh my gosh. If you haven't seen this podcast, Cat Williams the comedian. Um >> I can't believe he passed the security check just to start with.

>> That is quite a guest for you guys. >> He you know you heard the podcast, right? Yeah. >> I mean his story of how he came to be. I mean he left home at 12 years old. you guys have got to hear this podcast. Through it all, I was like, "Cat, you're lying to me." Because I was like, "If you're lying to me, I'm the former first lady. If you're making up this life story, I'm going to really be mad." Um, but he is funny his perspective, his experience. I mean, that's what I like

about uh the podcast because you have time. We have hours to really unwind people's lives and eventually people start to loosen up and they they stop thinking it's me, right? >> And we get into a really really good conversation. So, it's so much fun for the both of us just spending time with people we wouldn't otherwise get a chance to talk to. Maybe you will come and >> I would love to. I would love to spend some time with you. >> I want Molly more so. >> Oh, yeah.

>> Maybe you just Maybe you just want Molly. But that would be a good opportunity for you to talk to her about the gifts and about gratitude. >> Um I I also I feel like I should bring up I know you and your husband were friends with Rob and Michelle Reiner and um I'm very sorry for your loss. >> My god. >> How long have you known the Riners? >> We've known them for many many years and we were supposed to be seeing them that night um last night. Um, and we got the

news. And let me just say this, unlike some people, uh, Rob and Michelle Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know. Um, they are not they're not deranged or crazed. What they what they have always been are passionate people. in a time when there are not there's not a lot of courage going on. They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about um and they cared about their family and they cared about this country and they

news. And let me just say this, unlike some people, uh, Rob and Michelle Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know. Um, they are not they're not deranged or crazed. What they what they have always been are passionate people. in a time when there are not there's not a lot of courage going on. They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about um and they cared about their family and they cared about this country and they

cared about fairness and equity. Um and that is the truth. I do know them. >> Michelle Obama, we'll be right back. >> I love you. But hold on. I heard you girl just settle down. I'm here to talk to everybody, not just you.

>> I mean, you look cute, >> but I ain't married. >> Michelle's fine, too.

>> People, you know, people love the guy. What are you going to do? >> What are YOU GOING TO DO? Do you guys make fun of him when that stuff happens? >> Oh my god. Yeah, we the girls and I, we make fun of of him every second we get. I mean, poor guy. You know, he needs to go out there to build himself up because he comes back home and we're like, "Oh, what's what's that?" You know, >> is he upset that he never got to greenlight a rush HOUR MOVIE? OR have a UFC fight on the White House

lawn. You know, this is going to be when you really you look back, you go, "Oh, I could have done that. That would have been great." >> You know, that's why I say, you know, that I thought there were rules, norms, and standards. But yes, >> you've written a book that is >> about my passion, fashion. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> As we all know. Is it strange to you that people are so interested in the clothes that you wear? >> No. I mean, you know, first ladies throughout history, um, their style,

lawn. You know, this is going to be when you really you look back, you go, "Oh, I could have done that. That would have been great." >> You know, that's why I say, you know, that I thought there were rules, norms, and standards. But yes, >> you've written a book that is >> about my passion, fashion. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> As we all know. Is it strange to you that people are so interested in the clothes that you wear? >> No. I mean, you know, first ladies throughout history, um, their style,

their approach to, you know, there's a mistake to the first lady, and right now it's still just a first lady. Um, you know, to all that behind the scenes because, you know, only a handful of people in the history of the country have served in that role. So, and how we show up in the world, you know, although the first lady's role, we are not celebrities, but there is sort of that otherness quality that, you know, you can't deny. And so, you know, you go to any presidential library and oftentimes

the most popular exhibit is what the first lady wore, the inaugural gown, the I guess it's our princess moment, you know, here in in >> Did you save all that stuff? All that clothing. >> Yeah. I mean, all the clothes that had impact um uh get donated by the designer to the White House uh historical association. So, it's saved to be archived uh for the presidential library and the Obama Presidential Center will open up in June >> with so many exhibits. There'll be a

model Oval Office, but also many of the fashions that I wore will be displayed there. Barack may have a tan suit that >> I think that was the biggest >> those mom jeans. Will they be in there? >> Oh, you know, >> you got to get those. >> Going to get those. >> Absolutely. And um and you've got stories in here, too. >> Well, it's more story. Um, you know, the book is a beautiful collection of photos and I wanted the photos to be alive. Not just me standing in a dress, but what I

was doing in those dresses. Um, but there's also a story behind it. You know, what does it take for women to show up the way we need to in the world? And what does that say about our culture? What does that say about about self-esteem? um and the journey that many of us as women find ourselves in because we're often judged first and foremost by how we we look. And one of the things that I say in the book is that when somebody wants to go after a woman to make her feel small,

surprisingly, they still go after how she looks. Um because that's how we're defined. So, what does that mean for us? How do we take control over that? How do we turn that into power um and reclaim our our value? good story about first time you met Oprah and um misunderstanding. Is that a good way to describe it? >> Well, it really wasn't. It was a typical Oprah gesture um before we were ourselves and just coming up. Oprah, you know, heard about Barack and wanted to

feature him in O magazine. So, she came to our home, you know, and showed up with Oprah and a camera crew. And that's when I started thinking, huh, this must be a thing. what he's doing this politics and after because Oprah paid attention >> in our house. >> So she's in our house and I'm running around because I've got a job and kids and I threw on some capries and a sweater and that's what I had on. Uh I didn't get my makeup done because I didn't really know you needed makeup. I

mean that's where I was. >> Wow. >> So afterwards, you know, we and we talked about this. It's like now I'm becoming a public figure and how do you figure out how to get yourself dressed and have time for all that? There's a whole chapter on that. Well, as a typical Oprah way of thanking us, she sends me a steamer trunk full of Ralph Lauren's um sort of line of clothes. That was her thank you gift to me. And you imag I felt like the Oprah people when that when I got it was a trunk full of suits

and sweaters and I WAS LIKE I GET A SWEATER AND I SWEATER AND I WAS LIKE OH MY GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS RIGHT? So I'm in our little apartment and Barack comes in and he get goes we're not keeping that. I was like what? Well because he was in office and here you go. Um, according at least how we rolled is that when you're in office, you don't accept gifts, >> right? It's a law. >> But there's a happy ending to that story because that happened at the end of his state senate run. He left the state

senate, ran for the US Senate. There was a period of time when he was not in office and Oprah sent the clothes back.

You can't beat Oprah. You really can't >> can't beat Oprah. >> I have a I want, if you don't mind, I since the book is about fashion, I'd like to go through a quick list of um things people wear and ways that they wear them and just get a yes or a no from you. >> And who who are these people? Just people in general. >> Yeah, people in general. Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> Cargo shorts. Yes or no? >> Cargo shorts. You got to tell me who. Man, woman, child. I think man. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> It depends on what size how long are they? >> Uh >> I think car I think I I think cargo shorts paired with the right top are are cute for a man. >> Okay. All right. >> But but is he showered in the cargo shorts? No, he takes them off first and then >> I mean, are you are are you clean when you're wearing the cargo shirts? >> This is not about me. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Crocs. >> What? >> Crocs. >> I don't like them on men. >> Okay. Tank tops on men. >> Tank like the the t-shirt tank tops.

>> Tank top. Yeah. >> Depends on your guns. >> Okay. >> If you if you've got guns, go for it. If your guns are wanting, maybe you want a sleeve. >> Overalls. >> Overalls today. >> Yeah. >> Jean overalls like with the bib and everything. >> Yeah. Like Green Acres. >> What are you doing? WHERE ARE YOU GOING? >> HOW DO YOU GET NO. NO. MOLLY, if you have a pair of overalls, you cannot wear >> L boooos on purses. >> What? Oh, you know, I'm just learning about the Le Boooo thing. I don't know

about having a whole doll on your purse. >> Men wearing shoes without socks. >> That's not bad. >> Okay. Birkenstocks. >> They're back. I love them. >> You like them? >> Yeah. And Birkenstocks are a whole like Birkenstocks are not your mama's Birkenstocks, right? I mean, they are they they're studded and furlined. And come on people, you know, >> Birkenstocks are are doing it up. And they feel good. And when you're getting old, you want comfort. >> When you were a kid, you had certain

style icons. >> I did. >> And these are unusual style icons. >> One of them is something people of our age. One of them is somebody that people of our age would know. >> This is Teresa Graves from the show Get Christy Love. >> Man, she was a police action hero. She was gorgeous. >> I used to watch this show. 1974. >> Yes. She was beautiful and brave and tough but sexy. And when I was little, I always wanted a pair of white go-go boots like Teresa Graves. But >> did you get them?

style icons. >> I did. >> And these are unusual style icons. >> One of them is something people of our age. One of them is somebody that people of our age would know. >> This is Teresa Graves from the show Get Christy Love. >> Man, she was a police action hero. She was gorgeous. >> I used to watch this show. 1974. >> Yes. She was beautiful and brave and tough but sexy. And when I was little, I always wanted a pair of white go-go boots like Teresa Graves. But >> did you get them?

>> No, because I I my mother was Marian Robinson. We lived in Chicago. She was practical. She was like, "You can't wear those in the snow." So, what I got were the ugly rubber boots that you fit over your your shoe. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. I was >> I bet Oprah will get them for you. And this one is fantastic. This is >> Oh, this is the flip side of my character. This is Jose Cardell, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. I had the biggest crush on him. So, my the flip

side of my personality was go-go boots, but I had a big brother, so I was also a tomboy because I had to keep up. What he learned to do, I learned to do, and I love to play baseball. Um, so I like to in the summers get my little afro, put on a cap, pick it out like Joseé Cardell, get go to bat. He was my hero. And I think a lot of it was tied to my relationship to my dad because he was a shift worker and there would be times he'd get home in the afternoon and the

Cubs played on WGN at 3:00 and I'd come home from school and sit down on his lap and by by the time I got home, Jose was up to bat. Um, so there's also that sentimentality that is uh linked to that to that uh feeling for Jose. And I I finally got to meet him in our last term. The Cubs won the World Series. >> That's right. >> YES. YES. >> And they came to the White House and Jose Cardell came and I'm first lady and I can walk up to him and tell him this story about how I loved him and he cried

and it was just amazing. It was a full circle fashion moment. people. >> It's all right here in the book. It is available now. Michelle Obama, everybody, thank you so much. We'll be back with