- The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Michelle Obama’s office wants to put to bed any rumors that the former first lady could be running for president.

“As former first lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president,” Crystal Carson, the director of communications for Mrs. Obama’s office, told NBC News.

“Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ reelection campaign,” she said.

Rumors persisted for months that Mrs. Obama would make a surprise announcement that she’s joining the presidential race as a Democrat to replace Mr. Biden

She said before that she was not interested in the job.

During a Netflix special last year, she told Oprah Winfrey that “politics is hard.”

“You’ve got to want it. It’s got to be in your soul because it is so important. It’s not in my soul,” she said.

She told Amtrak’s culture and travel outlet The National in 2019 that there was “zero chance” she would run for president.

“There are so many ways to improve this country and build a better world, and I keep doing plenty of them, from working with young people to helping families lead healthier lives. But sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office will never be one of them. It’s just not for me,” she said at the time.

In 2022, she told the BBC in an interview that she “detests” being asked about a possible presidential run.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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