Michelle Obama says she’s done with politics, shooting down the possibility of ever giving a stump speech or hitting the campaign trail for a candidate.
“I am not going to be in politics,” the former first lady said on NPR’s “Wild Card with Rachel Martin,” released Thursday. “I’m not giving another political speech. I’m not campaigning for another candidate.”
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“But I’m here,” she said, when asked if her “IMO” podcast — which she launched with her brother, Craig Robinson, in March — was “a way of making peace” with her “place in the world.”
“Just being able to still have a platform to give voice to people, to let people know we’re still here,” the wife of former President Barack Obama said.
Michelle Obama delivered remarks at Democratic National Convention
Obama delivered remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and campaigned for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in several battleground states.
The “Becoming” author has put the kibosh on talk of her own political bid before, saying in 2019 there was “zero chance” she would run for president.
After her name was floated as a potential 2024 White House hopeful and touted by commentators as the “best chance” for Democrats to win, her office told ITK in a statement that she would “not be running for president.”
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks ahead of the arrival of Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at the Wings Event Center on October 26, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Vice President Harris will be campaigning today with former first lady Michelle Obama in the battleground swing state of Michigan. With 10 days remaining, Harris continues campaigning against Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the November 5 election. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the U.S. Open tennis championships on Aug. 28, 2023, in New York.Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (Paul Sancya, Associated Press)CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 20: Former U.S. President Barack Obama (L) greets former first lady Michelle Obama as he arrives to speak on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party’s presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)FILE – Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at a campaign rally for democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at the Wings Event Center, in Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at a campaign rally for democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at the Wings Event Center, in Kalamazoo, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)FILE – Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks following a screening of the movie, “Hidden Figures,” in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House in Washington, DC, December 15, 2016.Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Asked during the NPR interview if she ever considered living a “super private life and curling up,” Obama replied, “Yeah, and I get that more than I ever have gotten it ever before.”
“I’m 60, but I’m still just 60. And I still feel like I can’t stop yet. I’m ready to slow down a bit, but not stop,” she said.
“And that time will come, but it’s probably too soon. So finding creative ways to stay engaged that is still useful, and is authentic to my nature, which is advice giving and talking,” she said, “I think is a good balance to strike.”
