Michelle Obama: ‘I Won’t Ever Run For President’

Outgoing FLOTUS Michelle Obama has made the shocking statement that she “will never run for president” in an interview with Oprah on Monday. The exit interview, which covered key topics from Obama’s time in the White House as well as her thoughts on a Trump presidency, shot down any hopes the first lady would attempt a presidential run in 2020.

Citing intense interest from the nation and the political arena alike, Oprah raised the subject several times before asking Obama point blank if she intended to run for president. Obama’s reply left little room for speculation, explaining that strain on her family is the ultimate reason she won’t run.

“No, if I were interested in it I would say it. It’s not something I would do, but it also speaks to the fact that people don’t really understand how hard this is. And it’s not something that you cavalierly ask a family to do again.”

The First Lady continued on the impact the presidency can have on a family.

“But let me just tell America, this is hard. It’s a hard job. I said it on the campaign trail, it requires a lot of sacrifice, it is a weighty thing and it’s not something you even look to one family to take on at that level, you know, for that long of a period of time.”

Obama goes on to explain that her fundamental reason not to run for president is the effect it has on the lives of her children.

“I wouldn’t do that to my kids, because what people don’t understand, their lives stop, at any age. The next family that comes in here, every person in that family, their lives will be turned upside down in a way that no American really understands.”

Obama details the sacrifices made by her children, Sasha and Malia, during her husband’s presidency.

“Imagine being 18, 17, 16, 15, and you’ve got at least eight men with guns driving you around. Walking into your parties. Not letting you ride in your friend’s cars.”

In her typically down-to-earth way, Obama then put these problems in perspective.

“But as I reminded my girls, these aren’t problems. Barack and I, because of where we come from, we just couldn’t sympathize. It’s like, ‘Girl, you live in the White House.'”

Later in the interview, Obama addressed the climate in the nation following Trump’s win.

“See, now we’re feeling what not having hope feels like. Hope is necessary. And Barack didn’t just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes. I mean, he and I and so many believe – what do you give your kids if you can’t give them hope?”

It is perhaps for this reason that Obama has been so vocal in her support for the incoming president. In contradiction to her statements on Trump throughout the campaign, Obama now speaks of the importance of “moving forward” to the health of the nation.

“Barack and I are supportive of this transition, because no matter how we felt going into it, it is important for the health of this nation that we support the commander-in-chief. So we are going to be there for the next president and do whatever we have to do to make sure that he is successful because if he succeeds we all succeed.”

The outgoing FLOTUS has made her support clear in her welcoming of the Trumps to the White House. Obama sat down with Melania Trump in a highly publicized meeting immediately following the announcement of the results. Obama spoke of this support to Oprah.

“We will do whatever they need to help them succeed”

It seems Melania and the Trump family have an effective ally in Obama. Whether they choose to use her wisdom to further their presidency is anyone’s guess.

[Featured Image by Paul Morigi/Getty Images]