Photo: Marcus Ingram / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Former first lady Michelle Obama is clarifying controversial comments she previously made about the country not being ready for a woman president.
In an interview released Wednesday (January 21) on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Obama said the U.S. is gradually moving toward electing a woman president.
“It takes time, right, so, but we’re moving,” Obama told host Alex Cooper, noting that her previous remarks were made with humor but reflect the reality of gender bias in American politics. “We are moving in that direction.”
While promoting her book "The Look" last year, Obama sparked debate when 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.”
During the podcast interview, Obama maintained that the country must confront uncomfortable truths about why women continue to face barriers in presidential elections.
“There are men out there that were not gonna vote for a woman,” she said. “People have had those conversations, right. Let’s just be real about it and let’s put that on the table and talk about what’s that about.”
Obama pointed to the defeats of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris as evidence that gender bias remains a powerful force in national politics. Clinton lost the presidency in 2016 after also losing the Democratic primary to Barack Obama in 2008, while Harris was defeated by President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
“We’ve had two really qualified female candidates,” Obama said. “There’s a falling shortness that is happening that we’re pretending didn’t just happen.”
Reflecting on the 2008 Democratic primary, Obama noted that voters appeared more comfortable with her husband as a political newcomer than with Clinton, despite Clinton’s extensive experience.
“One who was first lady, secretary of state, well educated — my husband beat her,” she said. “People were more comfortable with him as a newcomer.”
Obama emphasized that meaningful progress toward electing a woman president will require honest conversations about gender, leadership, and voter discomfort.
“Let’s not be mad because I made the statement,” she said. “Let’s look at the reality of what keeps happening.”
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.