Michelle Obama Compares Affirmative Action to Athlete Admissions

Former first lady says getting into college as a star athlete is no different than the process of affirmative action.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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In an episode of her podcast 'IMO', former first lady Michelle Obama argued that the process of getting accepted into college for being a star athlete is no different than being accepted due to affirmative action policies. Obama said that while some may feel insecure about benefiting from affirmative action, there are many other 'affirmative action' factors that are not scrutinized, such as being the child of an alumnus or being a recruited athlete.

Why it matters

Obama's comments highlight the ongoing debate around affirmative action in college admissions and the perception that the process unfairly benefits certain applicants. Her comparison of affirmative action to athlete admissions sheds light on the complex and often controversial nature of college acceptance criteria.

The details

During the podcast episode, comedian Josh Johnson discussed his experience as a young Black comedian and writer, sometimes being the only Black person in the room. He argued that while diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives set aside a small number of positions for minorities or women, the outrage is misplaced since many other applicants, such as the children of alumni or recruited athletes, also benefit from 'affirmative action' in the admissions process. Obama agreed with Johnson's perspective, suggesting that the focus on the 'eight Black kids' who get in through affirmative action ignores the many other avenues for admission that could be considered preferential treatment.

  • The podcast episode aired on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Michelle Obama

The former first lady of the United States and host of the 'IMO' podcast.

Josh Johnson

A comedian and writer who was a guest on Obama's podcast and discussed his experiences as a young Black creative professional.

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What they’re saying

“It is funny because, like, you know, people talk about, like, DEI and some of these initiatives and everything. And the thing that's always funny to me about the outrage is that y'all already have the number.”

— Josh Johnson, Comedian and Writer (IMO* Podcast)

“So, it's like, 'You might not be able to beat other White people.'”

— Josh Johnson, Comedian and Writer (IMO* Podcast)

“And they probably won't let you because they will keep changing the rules to keep being at the top.”

— Michelle Obama (IMO* Podcast)

What’s next

The ongoing debate around affirmative action in college admissions is likely to continue, with further discussions and potential legal challenges expected in the coming years.

The takeaway

Obama's comments highlight the complex and often controversial nature of college admissions criteria, suggesting that the focus on affirmative action ignores other forms of preferential treatment, such as legacy admissions and athlete recruitment. Her perspective sheds light on the need for a more holistic and equitable approach to college access.