President Joe Biden's lagging poll numbers have led some observers to suggest that former First Lady Michelle Obama could take his place as the Democratic Party's 2024 nominee.

However, the results of a new survey suggest that Mrs. Obama would be just as vulnerable when squaring off against former President Donald Trump. 

Poll shows both Mrs. Obama and Biden losing to Trump

Commissioned by the Daily Mail and carried out by J.L. Partners, the poll found that only 44% of American voters would back Mrs. Obama compared with 47% who would vote for Trump.

Those numbers are much different when voters are asked to choose between Trump and Biden. In that scenario, 46% would favor Trump whereas just 43% would cast a ballot for his successor.

"Some have been touting an emergency parachute for Biden for some time: draft Michelle Obama," the Daily Mail quoted  J.L. Partners co-founder James Johnson as saying.

"But it turns out voters are no more keen to vote for Michelle over Trump than they are for Biden, with Trump beating her overall and even with Independents," he continued.

"It was never very realistic, but this poll puts paid to the idea she can be any kind of saving force for the Democrats," Johnson went on to add.

Former first lady denies having political ambitions

For her part, the former first lady has repeatedly denied having an interest in returning to the White House, a message which was reiterated several weeks ago by Crystal Carson, who serves as her director of communications.

"As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president," she told NBC News.

Carson further stressed that "Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' re-election campaign."

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported last week that former President Barack Obama is playing a major role in Biden's reelection effort.

Former president taking an active role in campaign

This includes having regular telephone conversations with Biden as well as White House chief of staff Jeffrey Zient and high-ranking campaign aides.

Folks, you don’t want to miss this one.

Join @BarackObama, @BillClinton, and me tomorrow for a grassroots fundraiser as we discuss what’s on the ballot in this election and how we will defeat Trump again.

Chip in now to join us: https://t.co/fCFAIsffB3 pic.twitter.com/Ijtsgj2IHM

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 27, 2024

Obama also appeared at an upscale fundraiser in New York City on Thursday alongside former President Bill Clinton and a host of celebrities.