Oh, how we’ve missed her: Michelle Obama made her first public speech since leaving the White House on Thursday afternoon at the American Institute of Architects’ annual convention in Orlando, Florida. And while some (read: us) are still holding onto the dream of seeing the dynamic duo of Michelle and former President Barack Obama back in the White House for another few years with Michelle at the helm, the former First Lady continues to deny rumors that she has plans to seek higher office.
At Thursday’s talk, according to the Orlando Sentinel, Michelle said, "It’s all well and good until you start running, and then the knives come out." Another reason Michelle has no plans to run for office? Her family. She explained, "Politics is tough, and it’s hard on a family.... I wouldn’t ask my children to do this again because, when you run for higher office, it’s not just you, it’s your whole family."
But just because she won't become our fearless leader in an official capacity anytime soon doesn’t mean that Michelle isn’t going to be just as involved in the issues that she has been so passionate about in the past. She said in her speech, "There’s just so much more we can do outside of the office, because we won’t have the burden of political baggage." Plus, she added, "Barack and I have been in public service our whole lives. Public service will always be in our blood."
One particular issue close to her heart: the promotion of education for young girls. Earlier this week, upon the announcement of Beyoncé’s Formation Scholarship program, Michelle tweeted out her support of the star.
And while Michelle made no explicit mention of current President Donald Trump, she did make one tiny hint at the political climate, saying that adjusting to life post–White House has been "so far, so good. It hasn’t been that long, really. It’s been less than 100 days. I think everybody’s counting 100 days. We’re counting, too." Saturday marks Trump's 100th day in office.
The former POTUS and FLOTUS have been lying low since Inauguration Day — and traveling the world. The power couple immediately jetted off to Palm Springs, spent some time on Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands, at Marlon Brando's private French Polynesian resort, and, obviously, on a yacht with Oprah and Tom Hanks. The couple has also been spotted in New York City, brunching with Bono and getting in some quality time with daughter Malia, who is currently interning at the Weinstein Company in Manhattan.
Related: This New Mural of Michelle Obama Was Plagiarized in a Major Way
