Overview
- During a Brooklyn Academy of Music conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross, Obama told audiences not to consider her for president and said the country "ain’t ready" for a woman leader.
- She cited Trump’s 2024 victory over Kamala Harris as evidence the electorate has not embraced a woman for the presidency.
- Obama argued the barrier includes men who are uncomfortable being led by a woman, saying the nation has "a lot of growing up to do."
- On ABC’s The View, Alyssa Farah Griffin rejected Obama’s assessment and called Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris flawed candidates, while Sunny Hostin endorsed Obama’s view that sexism remains a decisive factor.
- Stephen A. Smith pointed to recent female gubernatorial winners and Clinton’s 2016 popular‑vote margin to counter Obama’s claim, as right‑leaning commentary and New York Post letters argued losses reflected candidate quality and campaign choices.