Is Michelle Obama Running For President? Political Commentators Think So
Political commentators are speculating that former first lady Michelle Obama could enter the 2024 presidential race.
The chatter gained momentum after Obama's recent appearance on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast, where she expressed concerns about the upcoming election.
During the Tuesday episode of her SiriusXM podcast, "The Megyn Kelly Show," Megyn Kelly said that if Obama were to run for president, it would significantly alter the political landscape.
Kelly acknowledged the lawyer and author's political prowess, describing Obama as "a powerful Democratic weapon."
"There's no question she's more talented than Joe Biden is politically. No question," she said.
The journalist said she was not sure if Obama would launch a presidential bid but speculated that her interview with Shetty could be a strategic step toward a potential run for office.
Kelly pointed out that Obama had no book or event to promote, suggesting she came on Shetty's show because she had "something to say."
"Why is she saying it? To help Joe Biden? Or to help herself?" the media personality added.
During her podcast appearance, Obama said she was "terrified" about the potential outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
"Our leaders matter, who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit. It affects us in ways that I think sometimes people take for granted," she added without naming any specific presidential candidate.
The former first lady's interview also had some panelists on Fox News' "Outnumbered" speculating that she has presidential aspirations.
Political commentator Lisa Kennedy Montgomery claimed that Obama's remarks about the 2024 election could be her way of gauging public sentiment and laying the groundwork for a political campaign.
"She wants to run ... Now that she's talking about politics, if she were really concerned about the future of the country, she would be on the campaign trail with Joe Biden. She's just as concerned about him as she is about Donald Trump," Montgomery claimed.
"This is her way of sending out a little canary into the coal mine to see if it lives, and I think this could be the beginning of her campaign," she added.
While rumors have circulated about Obama entering the presidential race since last year, the former first lady previously stated that she she will not launch a White House bid.
In her April 2023 interview special with Oprah Winfrey, "The Light We Carry," Obama said, "I've never expressed any interest in politics. Ever. I mean, I agreed to support my husband. He wanted to do it, and he was great at it. But at no point have I ever said, 'I think I want to run.' Ever."
She added that politics was "not in my soul" and that she wanted to focus only on helping people, especially children.
