New York, NY – November 16, 2025 – In a candid and unfiltered exchange that has reignited national conversations about gender and leadership, former First Lady Michelle Obama asserted that the United States remains unprepared to elect a woman to the Oval Office. Speaking directly to persistent rumors about her own potential presidential ambitions, Obama dismissed the speculation with pointed frustration, declaring, "Don’t even look at me about running because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not. So don’t waste my time." Her remarks, delivered during a live podcast taping on November 5 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), underscore deep-seated societal hurdles that continue to thwart women's ascent to the highest levels of American power, even as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the 2024 election.
The event, part of the promotional tour for Obama's latest book, The Look, featured a dynamic conversation with actress Tracee Ellis Ross, known for her roles in Girlfriends and Black-ish. Titled "IMO: The Look," the discussion explored Obama's evolving relationship with fashion, beauty, and identity—from her days as a Chicago lawyer to her transformative tenure in the White House. Released on November 4 by Crown Publishing Group, The Look is more than a style memoir; it's a reflective essay on how intentional presentation can amplify personal and political agency. Illustrated with over 200 photographs, including never-before-seen images, the book traces Obama's wardrobe choices as deliberate acts of empowerment, from the colorful sheath dresses and cardigans of her early first-lady years to the bold suits and braided hairstyles of her post-White House life. "Confidence cannot be put on," Obama writes, emphasizing that clothing, when chosen with purpose, allows one to embody their best self.
The BAM taping, which drew a packed house of over 1,000 attendees, quickly veered into heavier territory when Ross posed a question about creating "room" for a female president. Obama's response was immediate and unflinching, linking the query to the recent electoral defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris by former President Donald Trump in 2024. "As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready," she said, her voice carrying a mix of sorrow and resolve. "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." The audience erupted in applause, a testament to the raw honesty that has long defined Obama's public persona.
This isn't the first time Obama has confronted the intersection of gender and power. Throughout her career, she has navigated scrutiny that often fixates on women's appearances and likability rather than their qualifications. In The Look, she recounts how her fashion choices as First Lady—from J.Crew cardigans to Jason Wu gowns—were weaponized by critics, yet also served as tools for diplomacy and advocacy. During Barack Obama's presidency, her outfits spotlighted emerging designers and promoted American manufacturing, subtly advancing economic messages. But as she noted in the BAM discussion, such visibility came at a cost: "Every look was a statement, but it was also a spotlight on being the first Black woman in that role." Stylist Meredith Koop, a key collaborator featured in the book, credits Obama with revolutionizing how first ladies use style as "soft political power."
Obama's comments arrive against a backdrop of sobering data on gender biases in U.S. politics. A 2025 American University poll revealed that while a majority of voters support more women in office—believing governments function better with female representation—nearly one in five admitted they or someone close to them would hesitate to back a qualified female presidential candidate. The survey highlighted persistent double standards: Voters demand female leaders be both "tough" and "likable," a tightrope men rarely walk. Trust gaps persist too—women politicians are favored on issues like equality and childcare but trail men on national security and global conflicts. Younger voters in swing states show more optimism, with 68% believing the country is ready for a female president, yet partisan divides run deep: Only 46% of Republicans agree, compared to 77% of Democrats.
These findings echo historical patterns. Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss, despite winning the popular vote, and Harris's 2024 defeat—where exit polls showed a 10-point gender gap among white voters—illustrate how subtle biases can tip scales. Obama herself has been a reluctant symbol in this narrative. Despite her sky-high approval ratings—often surpassing her husband's during his tenure—speculation about a "Michelle 2028" bid has dogged her since leaving the White House. In a 2024 YouGov poll, she emerged as the only Democrat who could hypothetically defeat Trump, yet she has repeatedly demurred, citing family privacy and personal fulfillment. At BAM, she elaborated: "I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it," echoing her 2016 stance while in the East Wing.
Obama's political influence, however, shows no signs of waning. In 2024, she emerged as one of Harris's most potent surrogates, headlining rallies that drew massive crowds. At a Michigan event days before the election, she issued a direct plea to male voters: "Fellas… before you cast your votes, ask yourselves, what side of history do you want to be on?" Joined by Barack Obama, who called Harris "my girl" in a joint endorsement video, Michelle warned of Trump's threats to reproductive rights and women's health: "Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us, who has shown deep contempt for us." Her When We All Vote initiative, focused on youth turnout, mobilized thousands, though it couldn't overcome broader headwinds like economic anxieties and anti-incumbent sentiment.
Beyond the campaign trail, 2025 has been a year of reinvention for Obama. In March, she and brother Craig Robinson launched the podcast IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, a weekly series blending humor, life advice, and cultural commentary. Episodes feature guests like Taraji P. Henson and the Wayans brothers, tackling topics from aging to sibling dynamics with disarming candor. At SXSW in Austin, the siblings taped a session that highlighted Michelle's Grammy-winning storytelling prowess, drawing from her bestsellers Becoming (over 17 million copies sold) and The Light We Carry. She's also addressed personal rumors head-on, debunking divorce speculation in April after skipping Trump's inauguration—a decision rooted in her longstanding critique of his rhetoric, which she says endangered her family. "Everyone would know if Barack and I were divorcing—I'm not a martyr," she quipped on IMO.
The BAM video, uploaded to Obama's YouTube channel on November 14, has amassed over 2 million views, sparking a torrent of reactions on social media. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) range from supportive affirmations—"She's spot on; we have growing to do"—to defensive pushback: "It's not gender; it's the candidate." Critics, including conservative commentators, have seized on her words to argue against Democratic "victimhood," while progressives see it as a call to dismantle patriarchal norms. One viral clip, shared by influencer Oli London, garnered 3,700 likes, amplifying her plea: "We got a lot of growing up to do."
As the 2028 cycle looms, Obama's BAM moment serves as both elegy and exhortation. It mourns Harris's loss—not just as a personal setback but as evidence of unfinished work on gender equity. Yet it also celebrates the quiet revolutions: Women now hold 28% of congressional seats, up from 19% in 2009, and trailblazers like Obama continue to redefine influence beyond ballots. In The Look, she reflects on her White House years, where fashion bridged divides—from hosting state dinners in sustainable gowns to gardening in jeans to champion "Let's Move!" Her message remains: True readiness demands not just votes, but a cultural shift where women lead without apology.
For Democrats eyeing the future, Obama's words are a sobering benchmark. With Trump back in office, pushing policies like East Wing renovations that Obama decried as dismissive of first ladies' roles, the path forward feels steeper. Yet her BAM appearance—vibrant in a Loewe ensemble—reminds us that style, like substance, can provoke change. As she told Ross, "When you're wearing something intentional, it makes you feel like the best version of yourself." If America is to mature, it starts there: Seeing women not as novelties, but as the default for power.
