Michelle Obama Compares Athlete Admissions to Diversity Efforts

Former First Lady says getting into college as a star athlete is no different than using affirmative action policies.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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In a podcast interview, former First Lady Michelle Obama argued that gaining acceptance into college as a star athlete is no different than being admitted through diversity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Obama said that while some may feel insecure about benefiting from affirmative action, many other students get into college through other means that could be considered 'affirmative action', such as being the child of an alumnus or being a recruited athlete.

Why it matters

Obama's comments highlight the ongoing debate around college admissions policies and the role of affirmative action. Her remarks come as the Biden administration has moved to reinstate race-conscious admissions, while the Trump administration had sought to crack down on the use of race in college entry.

The details

In the podcast interview, comedian Josh Johnson discussed the outrage over DEI initiatives, arguing that for many people, their belief is they would not have gotten into college if it wasn't for such measures. Obama responded by saying that while one might feel insecure about benefiting from affirmative action, getting into college for being an athlete is basically the same thing. She said she realized this when she went to Princeton, where she saw 'all kinds of 'affirmative action' that never got discussed' such as being the child of an alumnus or a recruited athlete.

  • The podcast interview took place on February 19, 2026.

The players

Michelle Obama

The former First Lady of the United States.

Josh Johnson

A comedian who was a guest on Michelle Obama's podcast.

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What they’re saying

“When it was just like 100 white slots, there was like the 101st white guy who couldn't get in. So, it's like, 'You might not be able to beat other white people.'”

— Josh Johnson, Comedian (New York Post)

“And, so, I got in, and I go, and I'm thinking — you're going with the insecurity that I only I got here because I was one of 'the eight.' But then I looked around, and I saw all kinds of 'affirmative action' that never got discussed, you know. Being the kid of an alum, being an athlete, being a, you know, and you realize that why are we only drilling down on these eight black kids that got in, just like you said, when all these other kids got in all kinds of ways that could be considered affirmative action.”

— Michelle Obama, Former First Lady (New York Post)

What’s next

The Biden administration's policies on race-conscious college admissions are expected to face continued scrutiny and legal challenges in the coming years.

The takeaway

Obama's comments highlight the complex and often contentious debate around college admissions policies, with both race-based affirmative action and athlete recruitment programs coming under examination as potential forms of preferential treatment.