Michelle Obama says America isn’t ‘ready for a woman’ to be president

Former first lady Michelle Obama declared America isn’t ready for a woman in the Oval Office, arguing men nationwide don’t want to be “led” by a female president.

Obama, who backed former Vice President Kamala Harris in her failed 2024 White House bid against President Trump, unleashed her remarks while promoting her new book, “The Look,” at a Nov. 5 event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during a "live conversation" at the  Brooklyn Academy of Music on Nov. 14, 2025.

“As we saw in the past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” the 61-year-old told actor Tracee Ellis Ross, who moderated the event, which was posted on Obama’s YouTube page Friday.

“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.”

The mom of two has faced persistent speculation and calls to run for president, but she has repeatedly stressed that she has no desire to seek the Oval Office.

When asked by the “Black-ish” star whether her time in the White House paved the way for a woman to be president, Obama fired back that men are far from ready.Vice President Kamala Harris, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and Secretary Hillary Clinton hold hands during a New York Women Vote rally at Barnard College in NYC on Nov. 3, 2022.

“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 charged.President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk down Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House during the Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20, 2009.