U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama sat down with Oprah Winfrey in an interview for "CBS This Morning" as the Obamas near their departure from the White House.

She reflected on her time in the White House, and lamented that America's outlook has changed in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

"We feel the difference now. See, now, we are feeling what not having hope feels like," the First Lady said.

"Hope is necessary. It's a necessary concept and Barack didn't just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes," she added.

President Barack Obama has been known to repeatedly include messages of hope in his campaign platform as well as during his term in office.

"He and I and so many believe that - what else do you have if you don't have hope? What do you give your kids if you can't give them hope?" she continued, stressing that his husband has provided the nation with a source of calm and comfort during his term.

Although she did mention the name of the president-elect in the preview clip of the interview, she commented that the nation needs "an adult" as the president should provide stability and inspiration.

"I feel Barack has been that for the nation in ways that people will come to appreciate. Having a grown-up in the White House who can say to you in times of crisis and turmoil, 'Hey, it's going to be okay. Let's remember the good things that we have,' " she said.

Mrs. Obama has been a popular figure in America, with a rating higher than that of Mr. Trump, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, and even President Obama.

Her presence in the country's political landscape has been prominent as she addressed important issues. Being a known supporter of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she delivered speeches of the dangers of a Trump administration, although she was careful not to mention him by name.