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Michelle Obama calls out Donald and Melania Trump for transition delay: 'Democracy bigger than anybody’s ego'

She wrote: 'So I want to urge all Americans, especially our nation’s leaders, regardless of party, to honor the electoral process and do your part to encourage a smooth transition of power'

President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede and delay transition has been one of the most discussed topics in the past few days. While the POTUS has found some supporters, he has received criticism for it as well. The latest to weigh in on the issue is former first lady Michelle Obama.

In an Instagram post, Michelle said she has been reflecting on where she was four years back. She wrote: “Hilary Clinton had just been dealt a tough loss by a far closer margin than the one we’ve seen this year. I was hurt and disappointed—but the votes had been counted and Donald Trump had won. The American people had spoken.” She continued, “And one of the great responsibilities of the presidency is to listen when they do. So my husband and I instructed our staffs to do what George and Laura Bush had done for us: run a respectful, seamless transition of power — one of the hallmarks of American democracy.”

Michelle then went on to say how they invited the then-president elect’s team and prepared memos for them and “offering what we’d learned over the past eight years”. She admitted in the post that it wasn’t easy for her. Michelle said, “Donald Trump had spread racist lies about my husband that had put my family in danger. That wasn’t something I was ready to forgive. But I knew that, for the sake of our country, I had to find the strength and maturity to put my anger aside.” The former FLOTUS then said how she had invited Melania and shared her experiences with her. She said, “So I welcomed Melania Trump into the White House and talked with her about my experience, answering every question she had — from the heightened scrutiny that comes with being First Lady to what it’s like to raise kids in the White House.”

In the lengthy post, she also said, “I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do — because our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego. Our love of country requires us to respect the results of an election even when we don’t like them or wish it had gone differently — the presidency doesn’t belong to any one individual or any one party.” She concluded by saying, “To pretend that it does, to play along with these groundless conspiracy theories — whether for personal or political gain — is to put our country’s health and security in danger. This isn’t a game. So I want to urge all Americans, especially our nation’s leaders, regardless of party, to honor the electoral process and do your part to encourage a smooth transition of power, just as sitting presidents have done throughout our history.”

There were a lot of reactions to Michelle's post. One said, “The true definition of when they go low you go high... forever my 1st lady!” Another said, “Maturity, intelligence, class, compassion and humility. It's been sorely missed for these past almost 4 years.” One concurred, “You are the epitome of grace. I don’t know how you did it.”

People were discussing the post on Twitter as well. A user commented, "I’ve been waiting for years for @MichelleObama to speak out against what @realDonaldTrump has said/done to her family. Even now, she still managed to “go high.” Shes a better woman than me." Another stated, “I just read Michelle Obama’s latest Instagram post and it’s so moving. I’m reminded how kind, caring and classy the Obamas were then and now. My anger and frustration grows. Why can’t Trump be forced to do the right thing.”  A user opined, “This hurts my soul. Imagining the disappointment this amazing woman must feel makes my eyes water. We love you, @MichelleObama.”

During his latest interview with CBS' '60 Minutes', Barack Obama was asked what his advice will be to Trump at this moment. He said, “They are temporary occupants of the office, by design. And when your time is up then it is your job to put the country first and think beyond your own ego, and your own interests, and your own disappointments.” He added, “My advice to President Trump is, if you want at this late stage in the game to be remembered as somebody who put country first, it's time for you to do the same thing.”

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