Michelle Obama clarifies her famous ‘Go high’ motto: It’s not about anger or pain, but more about putting a safety lock on a gun

At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, former first lady Michelle Obama addressed her family’s haters: “When they go low, we go high.”

It’s a simple yet profound motto she and her family adopted to address those who act cruelly, and they’ve chosen to respond with dignity, principle, and grace rather than stoop to their bullies’ level. It was something the family needed to get through the intense scrutiny of former President Barack Obama’s campaign and presidency.

When asked about this mantra during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper published Wednesday, Obama clarified it’s not about suppressing emotions like anger or pain toward scrutiny, but rather about being “outcome determinative.”

Nearly a decade after that 2016 viral moment, Obama’s clarification lands in a political and cultural environment defined by instant reactions and performative outrage—a time when “going low” can bring engagement, attention, or even votes. Especially in an era in which powerful figures have platforms to express their emotions—whether it be anger or celebration—it’s critical to take a step back and think before you act, she argued. 

Leadership and having a platform is “like a gun,” Obama said. “Learn how to use it, put the safety lock on. Because you can cause a lot of damage, but you can also do a lot of good.”

Obama also clarified that this doesn’...