Former First Lady Michelle Obama has taken a rare, post-White-House dive into politics, telling women who voted against Hillary Clinton that they “voted against their own voice”.

"What does it mean for us, as women, that we look at those two candidates… and many of us said, 'That guy? He's better for me. His voice is more true to me',” she asked, referring to President Donald Trump.

She added: “To me that just says, you don't like your voice. You like the thing you're told to like.”

The comments echoed those of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who said during the election that there is "a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other".

The comments were poorly received at the time.

Ms Obama's comments caused much less of a stir. The former first lady spoke out at the Inbound conference in Boston – a marketing and sales event that boasted more than 20,000 attendees. The conference featured speakers such as Billie Jean King, the tennis legend, and Elaine Welteroth, the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue.

Michelle Obama as the First Lady Show all 11 1 /11 Michelle Obama as the First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady NEW YORK - MARCH 9: Michelle Obama, wife of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) addresses the crowd at a fundraising event at the Grand Hyatt March 9, 2007 in New York City. The mass fundraiser of Senator Barack Obama targeted a youthful demographic. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images) Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady WASHINGTON - JANUARY 4: U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) (2nd L) poses for with his wife Michelle (2nd R), Vice President Dick Cheney (R), daughters (C) Malia and Sasha during the reenactment of a swearing -in ceremony on Capitol Hill January 4, 2005 in Washington, DC. The 109th Congress was sworn in January 4. 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Girls in Washington, D.C., Jordan, Peru, Tanzania, and the Mulberry School for Girls in the United Kingdom spoke with one another about the challenges they have faced and potentially overcome in attaining an education. (Kirsty Wigglesworth-WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Executive Director of Let's Move! and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy at The White House Debra Eschmeyer (L) looks on as First Lady Michelle Obama (C) helps a child harvest sweet potatoes from the White House Kitchen Garden during a harvesting event at the White House in Washington, DC, October 6, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama dances with students from turn around schools during a talent show at the East Room of the White House May 20, 2014 in Washington, DC. 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Ms Obama took the stage alongside feminist writer Roxane Gay, and directed many of her comments to the women in the audience.

"First spouse,” she said at one point, mulling a gender-neutral version of her former title. “I'll keep saying that, because someday it will happen."

Despite her harsh criticism of female Trump voters, Ms Obama said she would try to keep her comments constructive. She added that she and her husband want Mr Trump to be successful, saying: “He is our commander in chief, he was voted in.”

But that doesn’t mean the pair will be looking to Mr Trump as an example.

“Barack is not going to turn into what this President was, which is somebody tweeting in the wind and stirring up mess without really knowing what they’re talking about,” she told the audience.

Michelle Obama delivers emotional farewell message

The former first lady also confirmed she is working on a book about “believing in our most authentic selves”. Ms Obama and her husband reportedly netted $60m for the rights to their post-White House memoirs.

The writing process, Ms Obama said, has given her time to stop and reflect on her years on Pennsylvania Avenue.