Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that the United States is ready for a gay president during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The interview aired Sunday. Host Kristen Welker referenced an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s book in which the former vice president described passing over Buttigieg as a running mate because adding an openly gay man to the ticket was viewed as too great a risk.

Buttigieg replied that he would not have run for president in 2020 if he did not believe the country was prepared for it. He pointed to his reelection as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, with 80 percent of the vote after coming out publicly. He added that his current travels across the country show voters focus more on their own lives than on a candidate’s identity.

Buttigieg, who served in the Biden administration from 2021 to 2025, has been frequently mentioned as a potential contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. He has not formally announced a candidacy but has previously indicated interest in another presidential run. He said he currently wants Democrats to focus on winning control of Congress in the upcoming midterms before turning their attention to 2028.

The comments come amid ongoing speculation about the political field emerging to succeed President Donald Trump. Buttigieg notably did not rule out a potential run for the Oval Office. He said that Americans are more focused on economic concerns in the current environment.