Michelle Obama says she’s ‘scared’ of what could happen in the next election: ‘We can’t take this democracy for granted’

Former first lady Michelle Obama attracted widespread media attention with a comment on Jay Shetty’s podcast in which she said she was “scared” of what might happen in the next election.

“What keeps me awake are the things I know, the war in…too many regions, what AI will do for us, the environment, are we even fast enough?” What do we do in education? Will people vote? And why don’t people vote? Are we too attached to our phones?”

“I mean, these are the things that keep me awake, because you have no control over them. And you wonder… where are we on this issue? Where are our hearts? What will happen in the next election? I am afraid of what could happen because our leaders are important. Who elects us, who speaks for us, who holds the bully’s pulpit. It affects us in ways that I think people sometimes take for granted. The fact that people think the government is – “No… is it actually doing anything?” – and I say: “God, the government does everything for us, and we cannot take this democracy for granted, and sometimes I fear that we will.”

In the latest episode of “On Purpose” with Jay Shetty, Obama also talks about the impact of social media, telling Shetty: “We haven’t adapted to this new media. We haven’t, we haven’t biologically adapted. So it’s no wonder we’re stressed.”

“No wonder… we are full of fear.” No wonder our children have a hard time. You know, because we have a new technology and we just used it hook, line and sinker. We don’t even ask ourselves how much, you know, the more the merrier, right? I think we have to be very careful with this new device.”

Over the weekend, The Washington Post reported that former President Barack Obama advised President Joe Biden to take steps to bolster his re-election campaign staff.