In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the nation.

In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort.

Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

Vice President Ford will be sworn in as president at that hour in this office.

As I recall the high hopes for America with which we began this second term, I feel a great sadness that I will not be here in this office working on... [voice fades] [commentator] Mr. and Mrs. Ford have joined the Nixons as they make the last walk out to Army One, the helicopter.

Congratulations.

-Congratulations or condolences?

-[Richard chuckles] [Richard] She's all yours.

Be safe.

[commentator] There is the President waving goodbye.

Can you hear the applause?

President Nixon's helicopter going over the fountains of the White House south lawn.

[Gerald] I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers.

I have not campaigned either for the presidency or the vice presidency.

I am indebted to no man and only to one woman, my dear wife... [camera shutters clicking] ...as I begin this very difficult job.

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it.

♪ This land is your land ♪ ♪ This land is my land ♪ ♪ From California ♪ ♪ Well to the New York Island ♪ ♪ From the Redwood Forest ♪ ♪ To the Gulf Stream Waters ♪ ♪ I tell you this land ♪ ♪ Was made for you and me ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Mmm ♪ ♪ One bright sunny morning ♪ ♪ Well, in the shadow of a steeple ♪ ♪ Down by the welfare office ♪ ♪ I saw my people ♪ ♪ I was wondering if this land ♪ ♪ Was made for you and me ♪ -[trainer] Yes, push!

-[grunting] One, two.

One, two.

One, two.

Come on!

One, two.

Push!

[grunting] Come on.

Push through.

Five more.

Hard as you can.

You got this.

Don't stop.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Four!

Five!

[both grunting] Senator Hillary Clinton has opened up a huge lead over her democratic challengers according to a new Washington Post ABC News poll.

Senator Hillary Clinton is still the Democrat to beat.

The poll shows support for both Barack Obama and John Edwards is dropping off.

[sighs] Can't say I've taken that route.

[bodyguard] Safest way, ma'am.

[Michelle] Great.

[Barack] I know.

Packed.

Mmm.

And you're finally on time.

Well, you know, I didn't wanna miss out on some one-on-one time with you.

[chuckles] Yeah, we can't miss our date night tradition, even if we have to shut the whole place down.

-Oh, yeah.

Thank you.

-Thank you.

You may not have to worry about it much longer.

I-- I'm still trailing Hillary by double digits.

Yeah, well, she seems to really want it.

Yeah, she's whopping my ass in every debate.

Sorry.

You know, my-- my team thinks that I have -a relatability issue.

-Mm-hmm.

But they've got this idea on how to ameliorate that.

Is it to stop you from casually using words like relatability and ameliorate?

Actually, it's you.

-[laughs] -All right.

Look, you're stunning.

-No, you are, and you're-- -Ugh.

You're brilliant and relatable-- I don't know, it's the best word for it.

You are relatable and certainly more relatable than-- I don't know, some half-Kenyan brother from ******* Hawaii, you know?

Okay, then what does all of this entail?

Well... -a few speaking engagements-- -[groans] -No, no, listen.

But we'll-- -Barack... We'll work the schedule around the kids.

It'll be family first.

I don't know, you know?

And you know I don't love public speaking.

I get it, but you're an amazing speaker.

And it'd be a chance for us to work together as a team.

And I miss you.

There you go with that sweet talking.

So you'll think about it?

I'll think about it.

All right.

["Yes We Can Can" playing] -I'll take that as a win.

-Thank you.

After you give me dessert, I'll think about it.

-Oh, you're gonna get dessert.

-Yeah.

No one knows more about the character, the heart or the intention of Barack Obama than the woman who agreed to take this journey with him.

She's gonna make some kind of tremendous -First Lady of this nation.

-[cheering] Ladies and gentlemen, Michelle Obama!

The next First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

♪ We got to make this land a better land ♪ ♪ Than the world in which we live ♪ ♪ And we got to help each man Be a better man ♪ ♪ With the kindness that we give ♪ I feel privileged to be a part of even witnessing this.

Traveling around states and being reminded that there's more that unites us than divides us.

-♪ I know we can make it ♪ -♪ I know we can ♪ ♪ I know darn well That we can work it out ♪ ♪ Yes we can, I know we can can Yes we can can, why can't we?

♪ ♪ If you wanna yes we can can ♪ ♪ I know we can make it work ♪ ♪ I know we can make it if we try ♪ Thank you.

Thank you so much.

[supporter] We love you, Michelle!

Thank you.

I am honored and excited to be here.

This has been an amazing year for us.

Just think where we were one year ago.

Barack was standing in front of the State Capitol in Illinois to announce that he was running for president.

What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback.

And let me tell you something, for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.

-♪ I know we can make it ♪ -♪ I know that we can ♪ ♪ I know darn well that we can Work it out, work it out... ♪ Thank you!

Thank you!

♪ I know darn well that we can Work it out, work it out ♪ [phones vibrating] -♪ I know we can make it ♪ -♪ I know that we can ♪ ♪ I know darn well that we can Work it out, work it out ♪ ♪ There's so many needy So many poor ♪ ♪ But love and understanding Is the key to the door ♪ [phones ringing, vibrating] We better get going.

[song ends] -Mel?

-****** racist *****.

-What's going on?

-Sorry.

They-- They twisted your words.

-[Michelle] What?

What?

-[Mel] They twisted your words.

"I'm proud of my country for the first time."

***** "I never loved my country."

Right.

-Okay.

-Come on.

Let's keep moving.

[commentator] Now that her husband is the Democrats' presumptive nominee, Michelle Obama is expected to come under ever greater scrutiny from the media.

She's always angry every time she gets on television.

I think the American people deserve a thorough examination of everything about her.

The angry Black woman First Lady?

[Young Malia] Ready?

Ma'am, we believe it's best you take the car.

I wanna walk my girls to school today.

It's a beautiful morning, and we need the fresh air and a break from all of this.

Right, girls?

-[Young Sasha] Yeah.

-[Young Malia] Yes.

-[reporter 1] Michelle!

-[reporter 2] Michelle!

[reporter 1] Michelle, do you have any terrorist affiliations?

Do you hate America or Americans?

[reporter 3] Why are you not proud to be an American?

[reporters clamoring] What do you think about your father running for office?

How is the campaign impacting your children's lives?

[reporter 4] Just one more question.

Did any-- [clamoring] I will not respond to these lies, nor will I stand for you bringing my girls into all this.

That's what we're not gonna do.

But I will say this.

I am genuinely proud of all the excitement building around Barack's campaign.

It makes me hopeful.

People of all shades and-- and ages and-- and creeds all working together.

Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna walk my daughters to school.

Come on, girls.

[no audible dialogue] [Eleanor] Why, thank you.

-[doorman] Ma'am.

-[Earl] Mrs. Roosevelt.

Earl!

I'll be escorting you to the White House.

Yes, I think I'm going to take the long way.

Clear the cobwebs.

[Malvina] Don't ask.

Mrs. Roosevelt, ma'am, I must insist you get in the car.

It's for your own safety.

No one wants to hurt me.

I'm not important enough.

[Malvina] Oh, I don't know, Mrs. R. I might hurt you if you keep it up like this.

Oh.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Hello.

What's your name?

-I'm Eleanor.

-Oh, no.

You're, uh-- Eleanor.

Eleanor Roosevelt.

So nice to meet you.

What's your name?

John.

-Hello, John.

-Mrs. R., we should really-- [Eleanor] That is one hardy handshake.

What work do you do?

I don't do any work.

I'm busted.

Of course.

I'm-- I'm so sorry.

What work did you do?

[John] I forged steel.

Built skyscrapers in New York.

[Eleanor] Oh, what a wonderful skill.

You must be so proud.

Well, you're a part of history, John.

Such a pleasure to meet you.

And you, all of you.

-Thank you so much.

Thank you.

-Thank you, ma'am.

[Eleanor] Oh, I do like your hat.

-Oh, that's very nice.

-[man] Thank you though!

[chuckles] -[Lou] There you are.

-[Eleanor] So sorry.

I feared you weren't coming.

Well, it's a pleasure to see you, Eleanor.

And you too, Lou.

Shall we make a start?

I thought we'd have tea and a light breakfast before I give you the tour.

Of course.

That would be lovely.

I'm sure you're excited to begin the decorating process.

Oh, yes.

Mrs. Roosevelt certainly is.

You can't go wrong with an oriental silk.

No, you most certainly cannot.

[whispering] Sorry.

And this is the master bedroom.

That door over there is your dressing room.

I used it as my study, but they always called it the dressing room regardless.

The Wilsons used it as a private dining room.

What on Earth?

Nine presidents brought their slaves here.

I never knew...

It wasn't recorded how many of them required their slaves to have access to their bedrooms.

[Eleanor] Well, I hope you're making me sound interesting and intelligent.

-And possibly even fascinating.

-Oh!

I'll do what I can.

Can I ask you something -Of course.

Always.

-off the record?

How do you really feel about being First Lady?

Oh.

Well...

I'm not thrilled about the fact that my title refers to my sex rather than my skills.

-Yeah.

-Mmm.

Does sound like a crude term a man might use for his ex-wife.

[chuckles] And it's recently been made very clear to me that I'm to smile, nod, and gaze adoringly at Franklin every time we happen to be in the same room together.

Mmm... Well, what does that look like?

Oh.

Well... [laughs] That's awful.

Oh, that's my daughter Anna.

She's just gone through a divorce.

Off the record.

It was the right thing to do, but her grandmother is apoplectic.

So, she's a Progressive like you?

Yes, I suppose she is.

Good for her.

Well, thank you, Hick.

[sighs] Always.

Now get to it.

[Anna] Hello!

-Hello, darling.

How are you?

-I'm good.

Sis, come say hello.

Little Anna.

[blows raspberry] Oh, Louis.

[blows raspberry] Look who's growing.

How is the speech coming along?

The President would like your thoughts.

Well, Sis and I are going to grab sundaes at the restaurant.

We were wondering if you could come but seems like a busy one.

Oh, it's a busy one.

Well, you'll have to get a scoop on me.

All right, more for us.

Let's go, chickadee.

-Have fun.

-Bye.

Bye.

He asked for me himself?

Almost.

All right.

[door opens] [door closes] Hello, Missus.

Have you been calling?

I was out for meetings.

No, no.

I've been wrapped up.

What do you have so far?

A slippery fish.

Mm-mmm.

May I?

No, it's not ready yet.

Is it true that I am not to have a proper job in your administration?

Will you stop listening to Louis?

Well, give me something else to hear.

Fine.

I am not entirely comfortable.

Nobody else is getting two appointments.

I'm not asking for two appointments.

I'll think about it.

Don't push me off, Franklin.

I am your wife, not one of your girlfriends.

And I need to work.

-You know that.

-[door opens] You have made yourself abundantly clear.

-You will work.

-[people chattering] [Franklin] What is it?

Sir, if you're not busy, we'd better get back to the speech.

Not busy at all, boys.

Come on.

Let's get back to it.

Let's start with this wording right here.

"Attempts by the previous administration were lost on tired and old tradition, leaving you fearful."

Now, I like the idea of that, the sentiment, but it's lacking punch.

It-- It feels passive this way.

[clicks tongue, exhales] Oh, yeah.

Could someone please come collect something and take it to the president-elect?

"Nothing is so much to be feared... as fear".

[crowd cheering] [Franklin] I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction, this is preeminently the time to speak the truth.

The whole truth, frankly and boldly.

Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today.

This great nation will endure as it has endured.

We'll revive and we'll prosper.

[applause, cheering] So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

-[applause, cheering] -Oh, yes.

May God protect each and every one of you and guide me in the coming days.

Thank you.

-[applause, cheering] -Come.

Oh, that was a very powerful speech, wasn't it?

Mmm, yes, it was brilliant.

Yes, Franklin always knows just the right thing to say.

It's one of his many gifts.

One of the great pleasures of marriage is savoring your husband's finest moments.

Second only to savoring that of your sons.

[Franklin] Thank you!

Yes.

[Eleanor] I don't believe I've ever smiled for so many hours in a row.

[music plays on record player] [groans] I do think they should issue warnings.

Inauguration festivities may cause frozen face.

[both chuckle] Is it stuck?

Am I doomed to be a grinning fool?

You are the farthest thing from a fool I have ever known.

I think your speech went over very well, Franklin.

-Thanks to you.

-Oh, don't be silly.

You really are so good at conveying hope, you know.

You think you've always been that way?

My mother says even as a child I had a soothing presence.

Oh, soothing is one thing.

It's quite another to lead a country out of its darkest hour.

Well, you were instrumental in helping crafting my message.

So I'm grateful for you.

We make a good team.

Yes, we do.

Should we go to bed?

Oh, I cannot think of anything I'd like to do more.

-Good night, Franklin.

-[chuckles] [chuckles] Sweet dreams.

Congratulations!

You so deserve it.

[giggles] Here we are!

Yes.

Here we are indeed.

[Eleanor] Oh!

Hello.

What's your name?

-Charles.

-Charles, I'm Eleanor.

I'll be seeing quite a lot of you I think.

[music plays on record player] [Charles] More champagne, sir?

I think we should move over to the whiskey.

Don't you?

Very well, sir.

[distant police siren blaring] [blaring continues] Bob, a lot has been written about the fact that president-elect Obama is looking into ways to reverse various Bush administration policies.

Is there danger in doing that too quickly?

-They're asleep.

-[news reporters continue] Oh.

I don't wanna keep missing bedtime.

- ...these are things the, uh, -[Michelle] Mmm.

president has, uh, done by executive order, and they can be, uh, easily undone.

I think that's some of the first-- [clicks] In four years, I don't want to look back and think, "What did I become living in that house?"

Well, you know, in-- in eight years, uh, I think you are still gonna be that bougie lawyer with that Audi [laughs] and that ******* attitude that I fell in love with.

[both laughing] -South Side forever!

[chuckles] -That's right.

Mm-hmm.

Mmm.

We need a road map, Barack.

I will not miss the girls growing up.

Mmm, no.

Me neither.

We won't let that happen.

-Mm-hmm.

-All right?

I promise you.

Mmm.

You are gonna be a dope First Lady.

Michelle Obama née Robinson has never failed a test.

[laughs] -You're right.

-That's right.

-I got this.

[hums] -Yeah, you do.

Shake it girl!

What I don't got is all those clothes you got on the floor, Barack Obama, President of the United Sta-- -Pick up your clothes!

-I got it.

I got it.

I got you.

Mm-hmm.

[Michelle] Mmm.

[Barack] I got this.

-[Michelle] Clothes all over.

-[Barack laughs] I should really have somebody to help me -tidy this thing up, right?

-[Michelle] Mmm.

I got nuclear codes to think about.

Mmm.

You okay?

-How do we feel about Gwen?

-[laughs] -Morning, Gwen.

Hi.

-Hi, Gwen.

-[people chattering] -Madam First Lady.

[applause] We're already behind schedule.

I had to drop the girls off for their first day at school.

[Gwen] Oh!

I thought Mrs. Robinson and Secret Service were handling that.

My daughters are not a matter to be handled.

I had to ensure that they settled in.

Of course.

So, we want to hit the ground running.

And with Rahm's approval, my team and I have come up with several ideas for you.

Rahm has approved...

Okay.

Let me hear 'em.

He feels, and we all feel, that a White House garden project could be a great opportunity for people to see a new side of you.

The First Lady tending the garden, growing fruits and vegetables with local kids.

Great photo ops.

Good news, team.

The men in the West Wing have given us the green light to plant some carrots.

[all chuckling] Uh, that's not-- that's not what I meant.

Um, all right.

This, uh, this is for you.

Mrs. Ford won't be able to attend the inauguration.

She's almost 90, but she wanted to write to you.

Betty Ford wrote me a letter.

Wow.

[exhales] [Gwen] We have a fitting for your inauguration gown.

And this is great, Vogue has offered a feature with Annie Leibovitz to shoot the cover.

Amazing, right?

Sure.

Excellent opportunity to talk about rutabagas.

[all chuckling] What's a rutabaga?

-A turnip, I believe.

-[Michelle] Come on, Gwen.

I spoke throughout the campaign about civic duty, unemployment and-- And you were incredible.

And now we're in the White House.

And the team in the West Wing wanna shape and help you grow into your new role.

I'm a lawyer and an expert in health care.

They wanna turn me into a Black Martha Stewart?

I meant no disrespect, but Rahm feels that-- You know, I'm looking forward to hearing all about Rahm's feelings, so why don't you let him know that I would like some time with him.

-[Gwen chuckles] I'll do that.

-Okay.

Okay.

We have a very important meeting coming up next Tuesday that is-- [Betty narrates] Dear Mrs. Obama, you probably feel so overwhelmed today.

You can't imagine how unprepared I felt.

But the job will find you.

It has a way of doing that.

You are forever a part of history now but will always be one of a kind.

Today, you'll probably feel like you have nothing in common with all of the women who were First Ladies before you.

Trust me when I say we all felt that way.

[Gerald] Gonna miss this place.

We'll have fun in our new house.

Mm-hmm.

Sleeping in our separate bedrooms, like a proper presidential husband and his wife.

[Gerald] That's not happening.

Better not be.

Though, after this week, I might change my mind.

Don't you dare.

You're gonna make a terrific First Lady.

[phone ringing] Ford residence.

This is Betty.

[woman] Madam First Lady?

No, uh-- Y-Yes, yes.

I mean, that's me.

[chuckles] My name is Debbie Winthrop.

I was Mrs. Nixon's social secretary.

Of course.

Yes, I remember you.

We were wondering what you wanted to do for the upcoming State Dinner.

The what?

Uh, King Hussein of Jordan is coming in four days, ma'am.

I see.

I see.

And the idea is he'll want something to eat after that long trip.

[chuckles] And the queen, ma'am.

Of course.

Uh, well...

I wish someone would've told me about this.

We told Pat Nixon, ma'am.

The former First Lady.

Yes, I know who Pat Nixon is.

Of course.

Let me give it some thought, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Okay.

Thank you very much, ma'am.

Okay.

Thank you for calling.

[Debbie] Goodbye.

[sighs] I'll move into the White House.

I'll do the best I can.

And if they don't like it, then they can kick me out, but they can't make me somebody I'm not.

[applause from TV] She's totally unsuited for the role.

Well, she seems very confident to me.

That's the problem.

I don't wanna get into details, but, um, she's had her fair share of personal struggles.

We all know the lights in here, they tend to flush that sort of thing right out into the open, so that's where you come in.

We want you to stay on.

Keep the East Wing running smoothly.

Of course.

That's my job.

[Donald] But we're counting on you to guide the First Lady into taking a more reserved Pat- Nixon-type approach to things.

Oh, show her the art of facade.

Encourage discretion.

Have you met the First Lady?

[chuckles] You can start by limiting, preferably canceling, any upcoming events and gatherings, starting with the State Dinner.

Well, I already told her that was happening.

We have a meeting about it, uh, shortly.

I know you can steer her towards canceling.

And if I can't?

We're confident.

You can convince her woman-to-woman.

You know, Mrs. Ford's good nature and candor might be just the thing the White House needs right now.

She really seems quite capable.

Debbie.

I know that you understand how vitally important it is that this party hold the reigns of this country.

In less than two years, the president's gonna have to run for his office.

And so, the smaller that Mrs. Ford's role is and the less that we hear about her thoughts, opinions-- The less noise she makes.

Thank you.

-[person] Madam First Lady.

-Good morning.

Welcome to the White House, ma'am.

-Madam First Lady.

-Welcome Madam First Lady.

Good morning, Donald.

I'm so, so sorry I'm late, Debbie.

-I tend to run a little behind.

-Let me show you to your office.

Donald, so nice of you to greet me on my first day.

-[reporter 1] Betty Ford.

-Good morning.

You don't have to speak with them.

What's your first day been like?

Well, I don't know yet.

I just got here.

But it's all very exciting, isn't it?

Just keep walking, ma'am.

What's your opinion on whether your husband will pardon President Nixon?

"No comment."

"No comment" is fine.

I know my husband, or the president, is eager to move forward with his new administration, and which I'm sure will be very different from the last.

Right this way, ma'am.

Your office is through these doors.

[reporter 2] Mrs. Ford-- [reporter 1] One last question.

Do you'll know if he'll pardon or convict?

I'm confident the president will do the right thing.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

-Thanks, ladies and gentlemen.

-[reporter 3] One more question.

[reporters] Thank you, Mr. Rumsfeld.

Thank you.

-[Debbie] Here we are.

-[people chattering] I do apologize for the state of the room.

Uh, we had to turn things around rather quickly.

Yeah.

I suppose I have some decorating to do.

[chuckles] Mm-hmm.

Uh, this is your schedule, ma'am.

Oh.

I'll see you shortly for the staff meeting.

Oh, Debbie.

Um, could you tell me where my husband's office is?

I'd love to stop in and say hello.

The president has a full schedule today.

-Oh, I see.

Well-- -Is there anything else?

No.

Thank you.

[sighs] [people chattering] [door knocks] [muffled voices chattering] [door knocks] [Betty] Oh!

Oh, dear, I-- [chuckles] Oh, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

I-- I'm still getting my bearing-- I'm so sorry.

I-- As I was telling Debbie earlier, I'm-- -Anyway, hello.

-[staff] Hello.

Everyone, the First Lady of the United States.

-[applause] -[staff] Welcome.

[staff member] So wonderful.

[applause stops] [Debbie] I was just informing the staff that, uh, because of the unusual and last-minute nature of you becoming First Lady, we'd probably be canceling the upcoming State Dinner.

Oh.

I don't think that's necessary.

Everyone completely understands.

Well, on the contrary, I love a good dinner party.

[chuckles] The bigger the better.

[chuckles] And if you'd like to do what you've done for the Nixon's State Dinners, that would be fine with me.

We don't really have time to do what we've always done.

Not with three days.

I see.

[Debbie] Ma'am.

If I may be so bold, surely the president, surely everyone, would understand if you had to postpone.

Everyone knows how this whole situation has been sprung on you, even King Hussein.

Are you sure?

It-- It seems awfully last minute to cancel.

Not at all.

It's completely understandable.

Well then, I suppose that's what we'll do.

[jazz playing on speaker] -[typing] -[typewriter bell dings] [groans] -Oh, my gosh!

-Oh!

Betty?

I'm sorry.

Excuse me, Madam First Lady.

Nancy.

-Yeah.

Nancy Howe.

-Nancy Howe!

The last time I saw you was at that dreadful PTA meeting.

And that woman was talking about-- -The history of education... -[sighs] -...in pre-colonial Virginia.

-I thought it would never end.

Three hours seared into my brain.

[chuckles] It's so nice to know you're here.

An actual person that I know and like.

[Nancy] Yeah.

Hmm?

Take it.

It's on the house.

Thank you.

Hey, how's it going?

Are the aides overwhelming you yet?

Not yet.

[chuckles] And thanks for this.

Don't tell anyone.

Oh.

Uh, do you by chance know how I get back to my office?

I do.

[Betty] Mm-hmm, yeah.

It's hard to believe that just last week this was Pat's office, and now she's...

Helping her husband pack for prison.

It does seem likely, doesn't it?

He said he wasn't a crook, turns out he is a crook.

Crooks go to jail.

So what's the first First Lady thing they have you doing?

Well, there was a State Dinner, but I'm canceling it.

What?

No, you're not.

It was supposed to be three days from now and, well, my secretary said it was fine.

No, no, no, no, no.

You can't do that, Betty.

No, it was actually my secretary's idea, so... Well, I don't care whose idea it was.

This is your house.

You get to decide.

You really think one State Dinner matters?

Let's see, did the Roosevelts showing support for every exiled European government after the Nazis took over their homeland matter?

How about the Eisenhowers breaking bread with the Khrushchevs?

The Nixons and the Brezhnevs may be the only cordial moment of this whole Cold War we're in.

And maybe I'm biased because I spout out White House trivia in that gift shop all day long, but it seems to me like these are the moments that really, truly mattered.

And they were State Dinners that First Ladies made happen.

You just-- You-- You can't cancel your first State Dinner.

This is your chance to start making history.

-You wanted to see me, ma'am?

-[Betty] Oh!

Yes, thank you.

Please come in.

How do you like what I've done with the place?

Um.

It's a joke, Debbie.

-[chuckles] -About the State Dinner, you'll be happy to know that I've decided not to cancel.

-What?

-I've come up with a plan I think you'll agree is very doable.

Marrying some of Mrs. Nixon's traditions with my less formal, but no less festive, ideas.

Oh... barbecue.

[chuckling] Doesn't that sound fun?

Be sure to let everyone know the president is counting on this.

He's even more excited than I am.

Thank you, Debbie.

Thank you, ma'am.

[John Roberts] Good morning.

Thanks for being with us.

Monday, the 12th of January.

Just eight days until the inauguration, the new administration, new president.

Everybody's trying to get an angle here.

Absolutely.

A lot going on this morning.

-Can I get you anything else?

-No.

-We're fine, thank you.

-Okay.

-Too bridal?

-No.

No.

I see "hope" and "glory."

-I see "elegance..." -[chuckles] ..."timeless" and "victorious."

[chuckles] Oh, Jason is a genius, and you look exquisite.

-I love you, Mel.

-[knocking] I love you too.

Come in.

[both gasp] -Valerie, you're here.

-[chuckles] Girl, that dress... -[stylist] Careful, Mrs. Obama.

-Okay.

-[Valerie chuckles] -[Michelle moans] -Hmm?

Hmm?

-Wow.

Can we talk for a minute?

Could you all give us a few minutes?

-[Mel] Yeah, sure.

-I promise I'll be careful.

Thanks, ladies.

[sighs] [both chuckling] -So beautiful.

-Oh.

But that's not why you're here.

Rahm thought we should talk.

Rahm wants.

Rahm feels.

Rahm thought.

He just simply suggested that I be the liaison between the East Wing and the West.

Great.

So how do I get Rahm to understand that I'm not here to be a glorified hostess?

Michelle, we want to ease you into complex areas.

Val?

Hello?

-Hello?

-[chuckles] You sound just like them right now.

-Michelle... -Fashion shoots?

Gardening?

You want me to be roasted alive as being elitist and out of touch?

Valerie.

You're my friend.

You know what I can do.

It's complicated right now.

We, of all people, we can't rock the boat too much.

Yeah.

I know.

-[distant horns honking] -[distant siren wailing] [footsteps approaching] -[Michelle] Morning, Mom.

-Mm-hmm.

I was talking garden all morning.

Nothing like a curly kale master class.

Hmm.

I'm gonna need help.

Can you stay here?

The girls are gonna need some stability and continuity.

They're gonna need their grandma to keep their feet on the ground.

The girls need me?

You need me.

Hmm.

Then I am here.

-[whimpers] Mommy.

-[chuckling] Mom.

Mama.

[chattering] Rahm?

Madam First Lady.

How's it all going?

I have 87 pages to go through in the next hour.

Why are you sidelining me?

[scoffs] Can you guys give us a minute, please?

-Give us a few minutes.

Thanks.

-[Mel] Of course.

-Ma'am.

-First Lady.

I'm trying to ensure that the East Wing compliments our agenda in the West Wing.

So you turned me into a fluffy, inconsequential hostess.

-No one's gonna buy it.

-Well, that's the job.

It doesn't have to be.

Do you really think-- Be honest with me, all right?

You really think working on the board of a Chicago hospital has anything at all to do with creating a countrywide health care system for 200 million-plus people?

I'm saying that I can contribute.

And I'm saying, with all due respect, -that you're not qualified.

-Excuse me?

I don't want you to become a liability to your husband is all.

But you were more than happy to pimp me out during the campaign.

The campaign is over.

This is politics and the business of government.

-You're a real-- -What?

What am I "real"?

An *******?

A pit bull?

A jerk-off?

A condescending, patronizing monster?

I was gonna say a "charmer."

You know what?

You wanna make an omelet, you gotta break some eggs.

And I don't care about any of that other peripheral ********.

-You should.

-Caring isn't my job.

Absolute loyalty to your husband is.

Being the bad guy so he doesn't have to be, that's my focus.

I will body check anyone who gets in the way of that.

-Even me?

-If you become an obstacle.

-You're a smart woman.

-Oh, thank you, Rahm.

So, I'm not gonna patronize you, but the fact that you're not a qualified career politician is a fact.

It's not sexist or racist.

So, please, I'm begging you, don't turn me into some kind of cliché villain here.

All right?

We've known each other a long time now.

Amy and I have been to your house.

So I'm pretty certain, Michelle-- Mrs. Obama, that we can find a process that works.

If I'm willing to roll over and become a Stepford FLOTUS.

Not happening.

Also, Gwen's out.

Oh, my God.

We already went through this.

Letting you foist a chief of staff on me was my first mistake.

[sighs] You're opening a can of worms here.

No.

I'm accepting your position and stepping into mine.

Gwen will be replaced.

I'll pick my team, choose my causes.

You leave me alone.

Understood?

Madam First Lady.

Rahm.

["Tell Mama" playing] Honey, I'm home.

[chuckles] A nutritious meal from the future White House garden.

Prepared by the horticulturist to the stars.

Oh, boy.

[grunts] ♪ You've been misused Talk to me... ♪ You seem nervous.

Huh?

Me?

No.

Not at all.

I mean, y-you managed to make romaine lettuce seem threatening, but... [chuckles] ♪ What you need... ♪ Look, uh... ♪ What you want... ♪ Rahm told me that you and he spoke.

We did.

It was real illuminating.

Hmm.

Mm-hmm.

He said the same thing.

Mm-hmm.

♪ All the time that you spent ♪ ♪ She had other men throw you outdoors ♪ Uh, look.

-R-Rahm thinks-- -Stop right there.

You tell your work wife that your actual wife said to stay out of our family business.

Got it.

Now I have two wives and neither of them are happy.

[chuckles] ♪ I'll make everything all right ♪ You are my number one.

Mm-hmm.

-My main wife.

-Mm-hmm.

And he's a distant second.

For a start, he can't kiss as well as you can.

He-- He's working on it.

But he's, uh-- [chuckles] -[both chuckling] -He hasn't got it quite yet.

Can I eat now?

Mm-hmm.

Can I get a little meat in here, or I haven't earned my meat-- There's no meat in the White House garden.

-I'm going to try it out.

-[chuckles] Oh, don't let them say I didn't try it.

All right.

Here we go.

[Michelle laughs] Mm-hmm!

Mmm!

Organic!

-Mmm.

-I approve!

[chuckles] This is-- This has got the presidential seal of approval!

[chuckles, sighs] [song ends] [liquid pouring] [Michelle] I let Rahm pick my chief of staff.

That was my mistake.

That's why I asked you here.

I want you to be my chief of staff.

Gwen didn't work out.

I need someone who knows me.

Someone who understands my priorities.

You've been in the trenches with me.

I trust you.

[gasps] Michelle, I'm flattered.

But I was only supposed to be here for a few months to work -on the inauguration committee.

-I know.

And Neil already doesn't love me being away.

I know.

But husbands can relocate.

And remember what you told me when Barack was still in the primaries?

That you should start embracing the fact that your life might change in a huge way.

And I remember what else you told me.

About being open to exciting, unexpected new horizons.

I can be so inspirational when I want to be, can't I?

Susan, let's kick some ******** ass the way we did back in Chicago.

You know what this means, right?

You to be my boss.

I really hope Neil likes Washington DC.

Yes, yes!

-Yes, yes!

-[whimpers] -Aw!

-[chuckles] Oh!

Yeah.

Okay.

-Okay!

-Mm-hmm.

You promised.

-Hmm.

-[whispers] Okay.

Where do we start?

[chuckles] [crowd chattering, laughing] That would be lovely.

I would love that.

It would be lovely.

We have, uh, the Dead Sea, -and you don't sink, you float.

-Excuse me.

-So, it is very beautiful.

-[gasps] Ladies and gentlemen, it has been our great pleasure spending a wonderful evening with our new friends, King Hussein and Queen Alia, here at the White House for our first State Dinner.

[applause] And it is my great pleasure to ask the most beautiful woman in the world... if she'll dance our first State Dinner dance with me.

-[guests] Oh.

-[laughter] [jazz playing] I miss dancing with you.

I'll dance with you anytime, Mr. President.

-I like the sound of that.

-Mmm.

I'm sure you do.

[both chuckle] [Gerald] I'm so impressed with you.

Pulling this all together on such short notice.

I'm impressed with you, Jerry.

You have a lot on your shoulders right now.

[jazz music continues]