Former first lady Jill Biden has expressed doubt that she will witness a female president in the United States during her lifetime. Speaking on Kelly Ripa's "Let's Talk Off Camera" podcast, Biden, who is 75, stated, "In my lifetime? Well, I'm 75. So, you know, I feel like probably not in my lifetime, Kelly, but maybe in yours." However, she added that she is confident that former Vice President Kamala Harris will be the first woman to hold the office.
Biden recounted her experience campaigning for Harris in 2024, noting the energy and excitement she observed. "I really did think last time that Kamala was going to win. I mean, I was out on the campaign trail for her. I saw the excitement," Biden said. "I saw the crowds. I saw, you know, at the convention. I mean, I saw all the energy and I thought, finally, we're going to have a woman president."
These remarks drew criticism from Patrice Onwuka, Vice President of economic policy at Independent Women. Onwuka described Biden's comments as a "slap to the bench of female Democrats that have 2028 aspirations, like AOC and Gretchen Whitmer." She suggested that the Democratic party's prospects for electing a woman to the highest office were not convincing enough, even to the former first lady. Onwuka also asserted that Harris's 2024 loss was due to her being perceived as a "status quo candidate," and that voters prioritize tangible improvements in their lives over gender. "Kamala Harris blew a billion-dollar campaign chest and a coronation on the top of the presidential ticket to only lose. Perhaps it’s time to stop fixating on gender and take policy seriously. Democrats failed to make Americans’ lives better in 2024. They didn’t care about a first female president if she was just going to continue the status quo. This fate lays wait for any female candidate who cannot deliver economic mobility for regular Americans," Onwuka told Fox News Digital.
Kelly Ripa, the podcast host, conveyed a less optimistic outlook than Biden. "I'm hoping that at a certain point, that that turns around. I don't know what it's going to take. I don't think social media helps," Ripa commented. "I will always keep moving forward. I just, you know, I just feel like there has to be something internally. There's got to be a messenger eventually that breaks through the people."
Jill Biden's comments echo sentiments previously expressed by former first lady Michelle Obama, who in November stated that America "ain't ready" to elect a woman president, citing Harris's 2024 loss to President Donald Trump. However, Harris herself pushed back on this notion in December 2025, telling The New York Times, "I do believe the country is ready." She pointed to the large crowds attending her book tour events as evidence of support.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also addressed Obama's remarks, questioning the rationale behind doubting a woman's capability to serve as commander-in-chief. "Well, I hope — I mean, I respect her and I know that view is one that we all are saddened by, but we — I think we have to change," Pelosi said when asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper. "The fact is that I‘ve heard every excuse in the book, you know, like, 'I‘m not sure a woman could be commander-in-chief.' Well, why not?" she asked. "'Well, I served in the military.' Well, OK. And so? So do women serve in the military."