Michelle Obama says she is ‘terrified about what could possibly happen’ in the 2024 election

The interview was conducted for a podcast episode titled, "Michelle Obama Opens up on Her 8 Years in The White House" on YouTube. At one point, Shetty asked the former first lady what keeps her up at night.

Among other aspects of being the president's spouse, Obama replied to the question, saying, "What's gonna happen in this next election."

"I am terrified about what could possibly happen, because our leaders matter. Who we select. Who speaks for us. Who holds that bully pulpit," she said. "It affects us in ways that I think sometimes people take for granted."

Obama criticized Americans in the country who do not take the government seriously and said that the government does "everything for us."

"We cannot take this democracy for granted and sometimes I worry that we do."

Later in the interview, Shetty asked Obama about what she does in her messaging with her platform and what her thoughts were on being more "strategic" or "authentic" with how she communicates with others.

"I've always felt like I have a responsibility to set my feelings aside and think about, where are you?" Obama asked, hypothetically. "Why are you so angry? Where is your hate coming from?"

Obama said that instead of getting mad when someone says something "racist" it is better to try and understand where people are at.

Shetty, in response, asked her about what still offends her.

"Injustice, ego, greed, it's offensive. Racism, ignorance, it's offensive, and I've always been that kid. I don't like unfairness," she replied. "I don't like bullies, but I have to think about how I deliver messages."

Later on, she reiterated more thoughts, that you can't act "childish" in a leadership position. Not referring to anyone explicitly, she said, "We see childish leadership right before us, what that looks like and how that feels. Where someone is just base and vulgar and cynical. In a leadership position it doesn't trickle down well."