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Michelle Obama has revealed why she would not put herself forward as a Democratic presidential contender for 2028.
The former first lady was speaking to Tracee Ellis Ross to promote her new book The Look at an event in Brooklyn when she said America was not ready for a woman president.
Responding to a question about whether there has been enough “room” created for a woman to take the top job, Obama pointed to Kamala Harris.
- Michelle Obama says she won’t run for president because America isn’t ready for a woman leader.
- Obama pointed to Kamala Harris’ experience as evidence that many men still resist female leadership.
- In 2016, Obama also confirmed she had no plans to run for president despite supporters’ wishes.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom is a potential 2028 candidate but will decide after the 2026 midterms.
Michelle Obama said America is not ready for a woman president
Image credits: Andy Wenstrand/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images
“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” she said.
“That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running ’cause you all are lying.’ You’re not ready for a woman.
“We got a lot of growing up to do and there’s still … a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman and we saw it.”
The conversation, shared online on Friday, is not the first time Obama has addressed her supporters wanting to see her name on the ballot box.
Back in 2016 when she was first lady, Obama confirmed she would not be pursuing the White House herself. “I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it,” she said.
NEW: Michelle Obama says she isn’t going to run for president because she doesn’t want to waste her time because America “ain’t ready.”
Tracee Ellis Ross: How do you feel about the fact that the First Lady is an archetype for wifedom and femininity?
Obama: I don’t agree with… pic.twitter.com/e03xKMIOvE
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 15, 2025
While the 2028 election is still years away, some names have been popping up as potential Democratic contenders for president.
One of those is California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has repeatedly clashed with Donald Trump since he took office in January.
Newsom has also taken a leaf out of Trump’s playbook and has been using his press office social media account to troll the president and his allies.
However, Newsom recently told CBS News that while he was considering a run, he would wait until after the 2026 midterms before making a final decision.
Image credits: James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images
“Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom said in response to a question about whether he had given a White House bid serious thought. “I’d just be lying. And I’m not—I can’t do that.”
Newsom’s term as governor ends in 2027, and he can’t run again, as the role is limited to two terms, which he will have served by then.
He said that while he was considering a 2028 run, a decision was still years away. “Fate will determine that,” he said.
Newsom has recently secured key wins against Trump, such as passing Proposition 50 in California to fight back against Republican states redrawing maps in favor of the GOP.
Gavin Newsom is widely seen as a 2028 presidential contender
Image credits: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
The measure temporarily overrides the independent redistricting commission and redraws the state’s congressional lines.
It effectively gives Democrats an advantage in five districts, canceling out the Republican gains in Texas after the GOP approved new congressional maps.
Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) sued over the new maps in California, but not in any Republican-led states.
It joined a case that was first brought by the California Republican Party, arguing that California’s new map was based on racial gerrymandering, claiming it uses race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters.
In response to the suit, Newsom said, “These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
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America as a whole has made it very clear we're not ready for a woman president, which is frankly disgusting.
America as a whole has made it very clear we're not ready for a woman president, which is frankly disgusting.
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