Karl Rove calls Michelle Obama 2024 theories ‘pure lunacy’

Republican strategist Karl Rove shut down speculation, often permeated on the far right, that former first lady Michelle Obama will replace President Biden in the 2024 election, calling it “pure lunacy.” 

Rove was reacting to the idea that Michelle Obama, former President Obama’s wife and one of the most popular Democrats in the country, could replace Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2024. The theory has come up in previous elections cycles and was floated by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) last month. 

In his remarks Wednesday, Rove suggested it’s possible Biden will not end up being the Democratic nominee, but he said it would definitely not be Michelle Obama, who has repeatedly said she has no interest in the position or in running for office.

“Somebody is going to wake up on that side, Jill Biden or maybe his sister, Valerie Biden Owens and say, ‘You know, Joe, this is not the way for you to go down in the history books,” Rove told host Stuart Varney during a segment on Fox Business.

“Step aside, let somebody else be chosen at the convention and let somebody else go into the lists against Donald Trump in the in the fall.’ I just think the Democrats are not going to allow this to continue.” 

“Can you deal with this quickly,” Varney then asked. “I keep hearing that Michelle Obama will be shifted into the … no, you’re shaking you head. It’s not going to happen?”

Rove slammed the idea, saying that she resents politics and was not even in favor of her husband, Barack, running for public office.

“No, no, look, look, she hates politics,” Rove said. “You read her autobiography. She didn’t want her husband to run for the state Senate. She didn’t want him to run for the presidency. She is not a political animal.” 

Rove added he was asked about the issue during former President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, as the theory gained traction four years ago.

“They thought somehow or another, Biden was going to be pushed aside by Obama, Andrew Cuomo was going to be the Democratic candidate, and his running mate was going to be Michelle Obama,” Rove said. “And, you know, I told the other Trump people, including the president himself, this is sheer utter lunacy, starting with the fact she hates politics, period. She loves the life she’s got.”