Internet not convinced Michelle Obama won't run for president in 2024 despite shutting down speculation

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind President Joe Biden's re-election bid, but the spotlight is also on the potential role his popular spouse, Michelle Obama, might play in the upcoming campaign.

As Democrats nervously look ahead to November, there's a growing desire among some for Michelle Obama to take on a more prominent role. Speculation even swirls about the possibility of her replacing a politically weakened incumbent on the 2024 ticket, creating a fascinating scenario for members of both parties, albeit for different reasons.

Republican speculation and Michelle Obama's response

Republican supporters of frontrunner Donald Trump have seized upon this speculation, imagining a scenario where Michelle Obama steps in to replace Biden, aiming to undermine the president's political standing and energize the GOP base.

However, Michelle Obama's office has moved swiftly to dispel the notions, clarifying that she has no intention of running for office in 2024

Crystal Carson, director of communications for Obama's office, reiterated her stance. “As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president. Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign," Carson said.

Sources familiar with the discussions told NBC News that while Obama intends to assist the Biden campaign, her involvement will likely be limited, mirroring her engagement in the 2020 campaign.

Despite her star power, Obama has been hesitant to fully immerse herself in politics again, balancing other commitments alongside her desire to avoid the intense scrutiny of a full-time political role.

However, there are early conversations between the Biden campaign and Michelle Obama's team regarding potential campaign engagements, with a focus on areas of alignment such as voter registration initiatives.

Michelle Obama's role in previous campaigns

Michelle Obama played a targeted role in the 2020 Democratic National Convention, delivering a keynote address praising Biden's character and leadership qualities. She also released a poignant "closing argument" condemning Trump's divisive rhetoric and urging voters to support Biden.

“We can no longer pretend that we don’t know exactly who and what this president stands for. Search your hearts, and your conscience, and then vote for Joe Biden like your lives depend on it,” she said. 

But despite her significant influence, Obama did not actively campaign alongside Biden, citing her role with When We All Vote, a nonpartisan voter registration group.

In 2019, she declared there was "zero chance" she would run for the highest office in the nation. "Just between us, and the readers of this magazine — there’s zero chance," Obama told Amtrak's magazine The National.

"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 added.

Social Media reactions to Michelle Obama's clarification

Having said that, many on social media weren't fully convinced Michelle Obama wasn't running despite her office's clarification.

"I don’t believe it," one posted on X.

"They always say this crap. Until they run," another insisted.

"I'll believe it when we get to October," someone else offered.

"She keeps saying this and people eat it up. This way she will seem magnanimous when the @DNC begs her to do it and she will 'do it for our country,'" another chimed in.

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