Former first lady Michelle Obama said in a conversation published to her YouTube page Friday that the country is not ready for a woman president, adding that the U.S. has “a lot of growing up to do.”
“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”
President Donald Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Obama’s comment came during a Nov. 5 conversation at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for her podcast. The discussion was between the former first lady and actor Tracee Ellis Ross, during which they discussed Obama’s new book, “The Look.”
Ross had asked Obama if she felt that the first lady role, serving as an archetype for “wifedom and femininity,” had affected “the room that we’ve made for a woman to be president.”
“You know, we got a lot of growing up to do, and there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it,” Obama continued.
Obama stumped for Harris on the 2024 campaign trail, drawing large crowds to campaign events, advocating for women’s health care and pleading with men to vote for Harris.
The former first lady has faced speculation and calls to run for president, but has repeatedly said she does not want to seek the Oval Office.
