Former First Lady Michelle Obama has voiced concerns that the United States might not be psychologically prepared to elect a female president. Her candid remarks follow the unsuccessful presidential campaigns of prominent women like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. Obama highlighted that societal progress is still needed, stating, ‘We’ve got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still many men who do not feel they can be led by a woman.’ She believes that the necessary groundwork and opportunities for women to reach the nation’s highest office have not been sufficiently established.
Despite her influential role in the Democratic Party, Michelle Obama has consistently refuted any aspirations for a presidential run. She explicitly stated in 2016, ‘I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it.’ These rumors have periodically surfaced, including during the recent 2024 election cycle.
During the 2024 election, Obama was an active campaigner, particularly for Kamala Harris, who was a leading candidate at one point. Obama used her platform to advocate against Donald Trump, specifically addressing the potential impact on women’s health and rights. She urged voters, ‘Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us and has shown deep contempt for us. A vote for him is a vote against our health and our worth.’