Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, headlined the second night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois. While introducing her husband, however, former First Lady Michelle Obama inadvertently exposed her own family’s hypocrisy by playing up her ‘humble’ roots.
“You see, my mom—in her steady, quiet way—lived out that striving sense of home every single day of her life. She believed that all children and all people have value. That anyone can succeed if given the opportunity,” Mrs. Obama said—repeating many of the aspirational themes that are a signature of the Obamas‘ political rhetoric.
However, she then added: “She and my father didn’t aspire to be wealthy. In fact, they were suspicious of folks who took more than they needed.”
“They understood it wasn’t enough for their kids to thrive if everyone else around us was drowning,” she concluded.
Yet, there may be no better example in American politics of a family taking “more than they needed” than the Obama family. Barack and Michelle Obama own three homes—one in Chicago, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Martha’s Vineyard—with a net worth of over $160 million. In addition, through an agreement with the chairwoman of the Obama Foundation, they also control an oceanfront residential property in Hawaii.
However, “taking more than they needed” goes beyond the Obamas‘ real estate portfolio. Last year, Michelle Obama was paid approximately $750,000 for just a one-hour speech in Germany addressing diversity and inclusion issues. A speech from former President Barack Obama can set an organization or event back by nearly $400,000 to $500,000.
Meanwhile, the median American salary in 2024 sits just below $60,000. Additionally, nearly 40 percent of adult Americans do not own their own home.
WATCH:
show lessMichelle Obama says her parents were “suspicious of folks who took more than they needed.”
She has 3 houses and a $160 million dollar net worth. pic.twitter.com/6iIgWcORyH
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) August 21, 2024
