EXCLUSIVE: Barack Obama stays silent when asked if wife Michelle is running for president amid rumors – as his Secret Service car is spotted with an enormous dent in the side

Barack Obama remained silent when asked if his wife Michelle could make a bid for the White House amid swirling rumors as he was spotted leaving a Beverly Hills restaurant.

In photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, the 62-year-old former president was seen surrounded by security guards after enjoying a meal at Funke on South Santa Monica Boulevard.

Barack was dressed in a sharp black blazer, open-collar shirt and gray pants for his trip to the Los Angeles hot spot, but one Secret Service car in his motorcade looked worse for wear.

Onlookers can be heard gasping as the SUV zoomed past them, and streetlights illuminated a huge dent in the right flank, along with long silver scratches through the black paint.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama, 59, is vacationing aboard Steven Spielberg’s yacht near Portofino on the Italian Riviera with Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson and Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw.

In photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, the 62-year-old former president was seen surrounded by security guards after enjoying a meal at Funke on South Santa Monica Boulevard.

Obama’s Secret Service car looked worse for wear as he transported it from the restaurant in LA. Bystanders gasped as the SUV zoomed past them and streetlights illuminated a huge dent in the right flank, along with long silver scratches through the black paint.

Paparazzi who caught her husband leaving the restaurant asked him if she would make a bid for the White House, but he made no comment.

Barack said something inaudibly to the waiting photographers, but did not give a clear answer to the question.

It’s not clear what happened to the former Secret Service president’s vehicle, but the vehicle screeched away as it left the parking garage.

It comes after prominent Texas politician and former Republican candidate Ted Cruz speculated that Michelle could replace Joe Biden before the 2024 election.

The Texas senator said Democrats may want to prevent the 80-year-old Biden from being nominated because of concerns about his old age.

“This is the scenario that I think is perhaps the most likely and most dangerous,” he said on his “Verdict with Ted Cruz” podcast. “In August 2024, the Democratic kingmakers will throw Joe Biden overboard and parachute in Michelle Obama.”

But for now, Michelle appears to be enjoying some down time on the coast of Italy, along with a whole host of famous faces.

The former First Lady has been enjoying the European holiday without her husband in recent weeks.

She was pictured taking a boat ride with a dazzling number of A-listers, including Hanks and his wife Wilson, as well as acclaimed director Spielberg and his wife Capshaw.

The group was seen leaving Steven’s $250 million superyacht together at Portofino and onto a smaller vessel, taking it for a day of snorkeling.

Paparazzi who caught her husband leaving the restaurant asked him if she would make a bid for the White House, but he made no comment. Barack seemed to say something inaudible, but not in response to the question

Barack was flanked by security guards as he left Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills

Island lady: Michelle Obama was spotted in a funky beaded outfit as she enjoyed a meal with friends on holiday in Mallorca

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama, 59, is vacationing aboard Steven Spielberg’s yacht near Portofino on the Italian Riviera with Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson and Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw.

Michelle appears to be enjoying a relaxing break off the coast of Italy, along with a slew of famous faces, amid swirling rumors that she could replace Biden as the Democrats’ presidential nominee

During the boat ride, the stars chatted as they soaked up the Italian sun and took in the breathtaking views.

Earlier in September, she was spotted in a funky beaded outfit as she enjoyed a meal with friends during another holiday in Mallorca.

She was snapped leaving a restaurant on the Spanish island wearing loose black high-waisted shorts and a tank top in the same colour.

It has been reported that Michelle was staying on the island with former US Ambassador to Spain, James Costos and his partner, Michael Smith.