‘You’re all lying’: Michelle Obama questions whether America is ready for a woman president

Michelle Obama has said she believes the United States is still not ready to elect a woman president — a remark that comes after the unsuccessful presidential bids of former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Speaking at an event to promote her new book, the former first lady said the country has not yet created “enough room” for a woman to win the presidency.

“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” she said during a conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross. “We got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman — and we saw it.”

Obama remains one of the most influential figures in the Democratic Party, prompting recurring waves of speculation about a possible presidential run every election cycle. She has consistently denied any interest.

“I will not run for president. Nope, not going to do it,” she said back in 2016, ahead of the Trump–Clinton race.

Speculation resurfaced during the 2024 election, when dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden led Democrats to elevate Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee. Obama campaigned for Harris and issued sharp warnings about former President Donald Trump.

At a rally in Michigan, she said Trump posed a serious threat to the country, particularly to women’s rights and health.

“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,” she said. “Because a vote for him is a vote against us — against our health, against our worth.”