Michelle Obama just threw a curveball at America’s entrenched leadership, suggesting some have overstayed their welcome.

In a recent episode of her IMO podcast, co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson and featuring Anderson Cooper, the former First Lady took aim at aging leaders who cling to power, while also doubling down on her view that America isn’t ready for a female president.

Obama, at 61, argues that leaders often linger past their prime, blocking fresh ideas from the next generation.

Michelle Obama’s Blunt Take on Leadership

She painted a picture of a society struggling—globally, nationally, and locally—because there’s no graceful exit strategy for senior figures to step aside with dignity.

“People hang on too long, and they hang on beyond their usefulness or even their practicality,” Obama said on the podcast, a jab that feels like a polite nudge to certain unnamed figures.

Let’s be real—while she didn’t drop names, one can’t help but wonder if this was a subtle dig at leaders like Joe Biden, who faced intense scrutiny over age before stepping aside as the Democratic nominee.

Generational Shift or Stubborn Hold?

Obama’s call for collaboration between generations hits a nerve, especially when she notes that older minds think differently and need younger energy to balance the scales.

“Leaders are supposed to move on and make room for the next generation that has new ideas,” she emphasized, a statement that sounds noble but sidesteps how messy such transitions often are in practice.

Her critique isn’t just talk—it’s backed by her actions, as she refrained from campaigning for Biden until he endorsed Kamala Harris and only then confirmed her spot at the Democratic National Convention, per sources.

America’s Readiness for Change Questioned

Turning to another hot-button issue, Obama reiterated her belief from last month that the U.S. still isn’t prepared to elect a woman to the highest office, citing deep-seated societal biases.

While she’s got a point about lingering prejudices, critics like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith pushed back, highlighting recent wins by Democratic women like Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger in gubernatorial races as proof of progress.

Smith also reminded everyone that Hillary Clinton outdid Donald Trump in popular votes back in 2016, even if the Electoral College told a different story—suggesting Obama’s pessimism might be a tad overblown.

Political Drama and Unfounded Claims

Meanwhile, Obama herself remains a lightning rod for controversy, with President Trump reposting wild conspiracy theories from Alex Jones about her alleged involvement in Biden’s last-minute pardons—an accusation with zero evidence.

Trump’s separate claims about Biden using a mechanical device for executive orders and clemency, including for Trump critics like General Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci, only add fuel to a fire of speculation that seems more about distraction than substance.