The Brett Cooper Show

Episode: "Michelle Obama Is Back On Her Victim Tour"

Date: November 15, 2025

Host: Brett Cooper

Overview

In this episode, Brett Cooper delivers an energetic and critical commentary on Michelle Obama’s new book The Look and the accompanying media tour. The show probes Michelle Obama’s public persona, the claims she makes about her experience as First Lady, and the cultural conversation around black beauty and victimhood. Cooper contrasts Michelle Obama’s self-presentation with that of Melania Trump and other public figures, arguing that Michelle’s focus on race and perceived grievances is detrimental to broader social unity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Michelle Obama's New Book: The Look

00:00–02:14

• Brett opens with a satirical take on Michelle Obama’s new book, describing it as a "book of pictures of Michelle celebrating her style…200 pages of me looking utterly fabulous." She characterizes it as a self-celebratory effort rather than a reflection on her time as First Lady.
• Contrasts Michelle's self-published coffee table book with other fashion books about celebrities curated by outside authors rather than by the subject (e.g., Harry Styles).
• Implies the new book is an "attention" grab due to waning public interest in the Obamas:
  "People aren't really caring about her and Barack anymore. And so she simply just needed some attention and she was going to drum it up herself." (01:36)

Critique of the Book’s Message and PR Tour

02:14–05:19

• Brett reads and mocks the book’s description: "Michelle Obama shares how she uses the beauty and intrigue of fashion to draw attention to her message."
• Compares Michelle’s celebration of her own style to the lack of recognition for Melania Trump’s fashion sense and magazine covers, framing Michelle’s campaign as excessive self-promotion rather than overdue recognition.
• Brett positions the Obama era as one of adulation, challenging Michelle’s claim of not being "given grace."
  "People loved you. Everybody loved the Obamas... they turned politics into what it is today... he [Barack Obama] is still so relevant.'' (05:45)

The "Victimhood" Narrative and Comparison to Melania Trump

05:19–08:19

• Michelle states she and Barack “couldn’t afford any missteps” as the first black First Couple and didn’t receive initial grace from the public.
• Brett disputes this, pointing out Michelle’s extensive media coverage and the deep admiration shown to the Obamas.
• Contrasts this with Melania Trump’s absence from major magazine covers and her experience of being the object of public ridicule.
  "Meanwhile, Michelle, I ... asked [ChatGPT] to do some research ... you were on at least 25 different magazine covers ... including being on the cover of Vogue three times." (06:55)

Black Beauty and "Breaking Ground"

08:19–11:37

• Michelle Obama says:

  “Yes, you can be smart and educated and beautiful and sexy and interesting and all those things. And yes, you can be a Black woman.” (08:19)

• Brett reacts by listing iconic black women from history, suggesting Michelle does not acknowledge the achievements of those before her.
• Critiques Michelle’s apparent claim to uniqueness and the audience’s enthusiastic affirmation:
  "Look at her just waiting for that applause... waiting, I'm race baiting, where's my applause?" (08:36)
• Suggests Michelle is reframing her experience as uniquely challenging, discounting other Black female public figures.

Glam Teams, Privilege, and Relatability

11:37–16:22

• Michelle discusses the demands of appearance as First Lady, claiming a glam team was a “time necessity” rather than a luxury:

  “There's absolutely no way that I would be able to do my hair and makeup and have clothes ready that fit, you know, because rare is the woman that can live off the rack.” (11:39–12:14)

• Brett considers this tone-deaf, stating that most American women do not have stylists, tailor-made clothing, or professional glam teams, and that Michelle should frame such amenities as privileges—
  "I'm sorry, Michelle, but having a glam team literally is a luxury." (13:16)
• Highlights the contrast between Michelle’s experience and that of average Americans, satirically calling her out for “competing in the Oppression Olympics”.

Femininity, Race, and Victimhood

16:22–17:49

• Michelle links appearing feminine as First Lady to being a black woman:

  “As a black woman, I felt that I had to make sure that people could see my feminine side.” (16:39)

• Brett feels this injects race unnecessarily into what could be a widely relatable sentiment about balancing professionalism and femininity.
• Reiterates that Michelle makes everything about race:
  “With Michelle Obama, it always is about race. She is certifiably obsessed with race.” (17:01)

Demanding Respect for Black Beauty

17:26–17:49

• Michelle states:

  "Our beauty is so powerful and so unique that it is worthy of the conversation and it's worthy of demanding the respect that we're owed for who we are and what we offer to the world." (17:32)

• Brett responds with a hypothetical:
  "Can you imagine if I... said you all need to respect me for my white beauty? ... People would lose their damn minds." (18:04)
• Argues that respect should be earned through character, not demanded on the basis of identity.

Hair, Beauty Standards, and Racial Politics

20:07–21:29

• Michelle, joined by another guest, explains the time and expense that black women incur straightening their hair to conform to mainstream (white) expectations:

  “Let me explain something to white people. Our hair comes out of our head naturally in a curly pattern... that's why so many of us can't swim and we run away from the water. People won't go to the gym because we're trying to keep our hair straight for y'all.” (20:07)

• Brett mocks the focus, sharing comments critical of Michelle, while also referencing alternative perspectives from black commentators (e.g., Olivia Rondeau).
• Suggests the hair discussion exemplifies the perpetual search for victimhood:
  "Unfortunately though, Michelle is never going to get real because her attention grabbing, racist baiting victimhood is the only thing she has going for her now." (21:53)

Historical Context and the “Victimhood Industry”

22:00–24:48

• Brett quotes Booker T. Washington about people profiting from perpetuating grievances, linking this to Michelle and broader modern movements:

  “...partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances because they do not want to lose their jobs.” – Booker T. Washington (23:44)

• Argues Michelle Obama uses her influence to propagate division for personal gain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am living for Amy Poehler in that clip… As Michelle is like, no, I’m not actually joking. You need to respect me. You can’t think that I’m stupid. You can’t walk away from me. I’ve written books.” (02:26 – Brett)
• “Ah, yes, in the 2000s, just a couple of years after the civil rights movement. Oh, we had no grace. Michelle, what is going on?” (05:45 – Brett)
• “Look at her just waiting for that applause... And a black woman. And she looks over and she's like, I'm waiting. I'm waiting. I'm race baiting. Where's my applause?” (08:36 – Brett)
• "I'm sorry, Michelle, but having a glam team literally is a luxury. Every single day that I got my makeup done ... it was a gift. It was relaxing." (13:16 – Brett)
• “Does she ever not bitch about her life? No. No. That’s why she created a podcast, so she could have an outlet to do that every single day.” (15:10 – Brett)
• “With Michelle Obama, it always is about race. She is certifiably obsessed with race.” (17:01 – Brett)
• "Can you imagine if I sat down and I did an interview and I said, you all need to respect me for my white beauty? ... People would lose their damn minds." (18:04 – Brett)
• Booker T. Washington Quote (23:44): "There is another class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs and the hardships of the Negro race before the public... they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays."

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Brett opens with a satirical take on Michelle's book | | 02:14 | Mocking the book’s description, comparison to Melania| | 05:19 | “Victimhood PR tour”: Michelle discusses “grace” | | 08:19 | Michelle on being a smart, sexy Black first lady | | 11:37 | Glam teams, privilege, relatability | | 16:22 | Femininity and race as First Lady | | 17:26 | Demanding respect for Black beauty | | 20:07 | Black hair as a symbol of oppression and standards | | 22:00 | Historical context: Booker T. Washington quote | | 24:48 | Closing thoughts on victimhood and the culture divide|

Final Thoughts

Brett Cooper delivers a sharp and satirical critique of Michelle Obama’s latest media appearances and her new book, arguing that Obama’s rhetoric reinforces a culture of victimhood, rather than one of progress and gratitude. While Cooper recognizes Michelle’s success, she contends that constantly positioning oneself as a victim—even amid privilege—deepens social divides. The episode is filled with biting commentary, counter-examples, and audience comments, all in Brett’s signature blend of humor and opinionated analysis.