Michelle Obama accuses media of weaponizing fashion to 'diminish' her as a campaign threat

Former First Lady Michelle Obama claimed America was "struggling enough" to accept a Black first family, revealing earlier this month that she intentionally avoided wearing her hair in braids while in the White House to prevent political distraction. Speaking at ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans July 3, Obama detailed the calculations behind her appearance, accusing the media and political rivals of weaponizing fashion coverage during the 2008 election cycle to "diminish" her status as a growing c