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Michelle Obama gave a new update on reports that she was considering a run for the White House in 2028, but it’s not one that her fans wanted to hear. In an interview late last week, the former first lady said she does not believe the United States is prepared to elect a woman — including her — as president.
Obama, 61, has long been the focus of speculation from supporters who hope she might launch a White House bid, both during and after her time in her husband’s administration. Calls for a “Michelle 2028” campaign have surfaced again in recent months, including on social media and at recent “No Kings” demonstrations where attendees held signs urging her to run.
But during a Nov. 5 conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to promote her new book, The Look, Obama firmly dismissed the idea.
She said the country “ain’t ready” for a woman to serve as president and made clear she has no plans to enter the 2028 race, People reported.
“Well, as we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” said the former first lady, a reference to Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election – though there’s no evidence whatsoever that Harris was rejected for any reason other than more Americans preferred Trump’s policies.
“That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running, ‘cause you all are lying,’” added Michelle, before reiterating, “You’re not ready for a woman. You are not. So don’t waste my time.”
As the friendly audience cheered, she added: “We got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”
Though some supporters continue to hope she might reconsider, Michelle Obama has repeatedly dismissed the idea of entering electoral politics — including running for president — for more than a decade.
During a 2018 appearance on Today marking the International Day of the Girl, anchor Savannah Guthrie asked whether she had any interest in a political career. Obama responded, “Absolutely not,” reaffirming her long-standing position that she has no plans to seek public office.
“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.”
She also rejected the idea years earlier, before she and former President Barack Obama left the White House.
During a 2016 South by Southwest panel moderated by Queen Latifah, Michelle stated unequivocally that she “will not run for president,” citing the needs of her then-teenage daughters, Sasha and Malia, as a factor in her decision.
A series of widely praised speeches criticizing then–Republican nominee Trump later renewed speculation that she might reconsider. However, despite the attention those remarks received, Michelle maintained her stance and continued to distance herself from any future role in electoral politics.
Barack verified that stance in October 2016, just months before he finished his second term.
“[Michelle] will never run for office,” he said while calling into 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,” added Barack.
She told People previously: “My kids are grown and launched, they are healthy and happy. My husband is doing just fine. We are the former president and first lady, and so I feel like this is the first time in my life that when I say and do something, here in this interview, writing this book, these are my choices. That is freeing.”
