Nationwide — Stephen A. Smith challenged Michelle Obama’s claim that Americans are “not ready” for a female president, pointing to recent elections as proof that voters will support women in leadership. He argued that history and recent wins show the country is ready for female candidates.
On Straight Shooter, Smith highlighted Mikie Sherrill’s win in New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger’s victory in Virginia, and Kathy Hochul’s governorship in New York as examples. He also reminded viewers that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election, raising questions about Obama’s statement.
According to Fox News, Smith questioned Obama’s assessment, pointing out Clinton’s nearly 3 million-vote lead over Donald Trump. He noted that women of all races, including Black and Hispanic voters, supported Clinton, and that campaign strategy, not voter reluctance, played a key role in her loss.
Turning to Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential run, Smith argued that her limited campaign time and the party’s reliance on Joe Biden, rather than voter unwillingness, were the main reasons she didn’t win. He emphasized that Harris still received one of the highest vote totals ever for a Democratic candidate.
Despite his disagreement with Obama, Smith praised her and said she could have won against Trump if she had run in 2024. He framed his critique as a reflection of Americans’ history of supporting women in office, rather than a dismissal of Obama’s leadership.
Smith’s remarks came shortly after Obama spoke in Brooklyn, saying many Americans, especially men, still struggle to accept female leadership, a point she linked to Harris’ 2024 defeat.