Former First Lady Michelle Obama has asserted that America is still not ready for a woman in the Oval Office, stating that many men in the country are unwilling to accept female leadership.
Speaking at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 5 while promoting her new book, The Look, Obama told actress Tracee Ellis Ross that the results of the 2024 presidential election made the issue clear.
“As we saw in the past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” the 61-year-old said during the event, which was posted on her YouTube page.
“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.”
Obama has long faced public pressure and speculation about a potential presidential run, but she has repeatedly stated she has no interest in seeking the presidency.
When Ross asked if her time in the White House helped pave the way for a female president, Obama responded that the barrier remains cultural, particularly among men.
“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,” she said.
Obama had strongly supported former Vice President Kamala Harris during her failed 2024 bid against President Donald Trump, warning voters that Trump posed a threat to the country.
