Michelle Obama has revealed why she will not run for president.
Speaking with Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to promote her new book, “The Look,” Obama said the country is not ready to be led by a woman.
“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said in response to Ellis Ross. She was referring to Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
“That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running ‘cause you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman,” Obama continued. “We got a lot of growing up to do. And there’s still … a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”
Obama stumped for Harris on the 2024 campaign trail.
“Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us, who has shown deep contempt for us,” Obama said at a Michigan rally. “Because a vote for him is a vote against us, against our health, against our worth.”
Obama has remained true to her decision not to seek political office. On International Day of the Girl in 2018, Savannah Guthrie asked if the former first lady would change her mind.
“Absolutely not,” Obama said.
“I’ve never wanted to be a politician,” Michelle continued at the time. “Nothing has changed in me. I want to serve. … There are so many ways to make an impact. Politics is not my thing. It’s as simple as that.”
In October 2016, former President Barack Obama backed up his wife’s stance.
“[Michelle] will never run for office,” Barack said on SiriusXM’s Sway in the Morning in October 2016. “She is as talented and brilliant a person as there is, and I could not be prouder of her, but Michelle does not have the patience or the inclination to actually be a candidate herself.
“That’s one thing y’all can take to the bank,” Barack added.