Michelle Obama is one of the figures Americans like to forget that they used to demonize and dehumanize when she was actually in the political spotlight.
Anyway, this is a very classic pattern. Americans only grow to love Black leaders/public figures after they are no longer in positions of power.
See also: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
We *love* our Black folks* as long as they stay in their place and don't try to change anything or hold any power
*I mean, not really, but at least in public opinion