Michelle Obama States America Is Not Ready for a Woman President, Rejects Running Speculation

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed her view that the United States is not yet prepared to elect a female president.

"Don't even look at me about running, because you all are lying," she stated during a conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross. "You're not ready for a woman. So don't waste my time. We got a lot of growing up to do."

Michelle Obama contended that American society has not created sufficient space for women to attain the highest political office.

"As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain't ready...and there's still a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman and we saw it."

Her comments come in the wake of unsuccessful presidential campaigns by former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

After former President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Harris became the Democratic frontrunner but ultimately failed to secure the presidency.

Obama firmly rejected any speculation about her own presidential ambitions.

When asked whether the First Lady archetype impacts the opportunities available for female leadership, Michelle Obama responded, "I don't agree with that." She emphasized that she has no intention of pursuing the presidency because she does not want to "waste" her time while America remains, in her assessment, unprepared for female leadership.

The conversation, which took place in Brooklyn to promote her new book "The Look," focused on her approach to fashion and politics during her White House years and was shared online on Friday.

Despite being one of the Democratic Party's most effective and popular representatives, Michelle Obama has consistently dismissed the idea of a presidential run. "I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it," she initially declared in 2016.

Obama campaigned for Harris last year. At a Michigan rally, she encouraged voters to consider Harris' qualifications, asking, "By every measure, (Harris) has demonstrated that she's ready. ... The real question is, as a country, are we ready for this moment?"