Former first lady Michelle Obama is living her best life now that she’s out of the White House and behind the shadow of her husband, former President Barack Obama.
The former first lady is front and center in the entertainment world these days, recently launching a podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson, and continues to be the brunt of speculation that she and Barack are divorcing.
The newfound fanfare doesn’t seem to faze Michelle Obama, as she is now the target of one of the world’s most popular sports entertainment networks, ESPN.
Recently, ESPN officially launched a new show called “Vibe Check.”
The new all-women’s show debuted on Disney+ and will feature the quintet of Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, Monica McNutt, Chiney Ogwumike, and Hannah Storm.
The new show is part of the network’s upcoming $30 a month direct-to-consumer app.
However, initial skeptics of the show pointed out a valid critique of the new show — it clearly violates a “no politics policy” that ESPN says they’ve implemented.
Four of the co-hosts are widely known for their racially charged coverage of Caitlin Clark, including McNutt who earlier this year accused little girls in America of only rooting for Clark because she is white.
???? little girls like he because she’s white??? are we being fr rn….. pic.twitter.com/ztQVPM8tj0
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) March 29, 2025
And longtime ESPN personality Hannah Storm, is best known recently for recording a voice-over praising trans swimmer Lia Thomas during Women’s History Month.
Now, they want to bring on Michelle Obama.
During a recent episode with special guest Robin Roberts, Duncan asked Roberts who the most famous person in her phone was.
Before Roberts could answer, Duncan immediately winked and said, “Michelle Obama.”
“I do love Michelle Obama,” Roberts responded.
“Doesn’t everybody,” Duncan asked, and then fawned over Michelle Obama being a “dream” guest of the show.
The sudden about-face from ESPN comes after scrutiny from former employees who claim the network was silencing those with conservative viewpoints.
Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele accused the network of “considering conservative viewpoints a much greater offense than questionable character.”
Steele’s remarks were in reference to ESPN pondering the future of Shannon Sharpe following a civil lawsuit alleging he raped a 19-year-old woman.
The lawsuit is not the first in which a woman has accused Sharpe of sexual misconduct. ESPN hired him anyway.
Another former ESPN anchor responded to Steele’s post with her own experience as a conservative at the company, recalling a time management “chewed” her out for a photo.
“Never forget when I got chewed out by my boss for posting a pic of a republican congressman & UFC fighter on my instagram story at the Mcgregor fight. LOL,” Ashley Brewer Kaminsky wrote to Steele on X.
“And @ashbrewkaminsky remember when we got chewed out for breaking Covid rules by standing too close to each other and posting this pic?” Steele responded.
Yet, other ESPN-retained personalities did not face a similar fate.
Mark Jones’ X page includes a banner of him laughing with Barack Obama. Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser have posed for several photos with Obama. Mina Kimes previously posted a photo with Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass while asking her followers to vote for Bass.
In the meantime, ESPN’s latest show will continue to pursue Michelle Obama as its next guest.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of what the show broadcasts — hosts doing random pushups during their commentary.
Here is the opening segment to ESPN’s new all women’s sports show from yesterday: pic.twitter.com/DAlpnhZBJV
— Bobby Burack (@burackbobby_) July 1, 2025