At a Glance
- Michelle Obama says the U.S. is not ready for a woman president.
- She discussed the topic on the Jan. 21 episode of Call Her Daddy.
- Obama referenced earlier remarks from Nov. 5, 2025 and her own 62nd birthday.
- Why it matters: The former first lady’s candid comments spark debate about gender bias in American politics.
Michelle Obama opened up on Call Her Daddy about whether she believes the U.S. is ready for a female president. In a candid interview with Alex Cooper on the Jan. 21 episode, she reflected on her own experience in the public eye and the broader question of women’s leadership in the Oval Office.
Interview Context
The podcast conversation covered a wide range of topics. Obama talked about the scrutiny she faced during Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, the media’s focus on her appearance, and her own reflections on the role of a first lady. The discussion followed her earlier remarks on the IMO podcast, where she answered questions from actor Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Nov. 5, 2025.
Obama’s Views on Female Leadership
During the interview, Obama stated:
> “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “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.”
She emphasized that while progress has been made, many men still feel uncomfortable being led by a woman. Obama noted:
> “We’ve got a lot of growing up to do,” she added. “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 also discussed the idea that society may pretend everything is better than it actually is:
> “We’ve been feeding off this bone for so long, it doesn’t just go away. It takes time. But we’re moving. We are moving in that direction.”
Critics and Counterpoints
Alex Cooper asked whether the country’s readiness could be measured by past female candidates. Obama replied that while there have been qualified women, societal bias remains:
> “We have qualified women. They’re not perfect, they don’t cross every T and dot every I, there’s a falling-shortness that happens,” she said. “But why can’t we talk about that? Why are we pretending that didn’t just happen?”
Cooper highlighted that disliking certain candidates does not automatically mean the nation is unready for a woman president. Obama responded that change is possible:
> “We’re still growing,” she said. “I think it’s going to happen. Are we ready now? I don’t know. Let’s prove us wrong. I would love that.”
Personal Reflections and Family
The conversation also touched on Obama’s personal life. Barack Obama celebrated his wife’s 62nd birthday on Jan. 17, posting a sweet message to Michelle on social media.
The former first lady reflected on the impact of her role as a public figure:
> “Let’s not be mad because I made the statement,” Obama added. “Let’s look at the fact that we’ve had two really qualified female candidates.”
She expressed a desire to see new leadership and a shift away from repetitive political patterns:
> “I do believe in the need for new vision,” she said. “This is a hard job, and it requires new energy, new vision all the time, new ways of looking at the world. So, I do think that eight years is enough.”
Key Takeaways
- Michelle Obama openly states that the U.S. is not ready for a woman president.
- She references both her own experiences and broader societal attitudes toward women in leadership.
- Despite progress, she acknowledges persistent gender bias and calls for honest dialogue.
- The former first lady’s comments have reignited discussions about the readiness of American politics for female leaders.
The conversation underscores the ongoing debate about gender equality in the highest political offices and highlights the need for continued progress and honest conversation.
