Former first lady Michelle Obama is facing scrutiny after suggesting that consumers should be more intentional about avoiding white-owned brands and instead prioritize purchasing from designers of color.
Obama made the remarks during a roundtable fashion conversation released Sunday, where she discussed how she approaches clothing choices and consumer spending.
“If I hear of someone… whose fashion that I like and I know that they’re a person of color, I try to make it a point,” Obama said. “But the clothes have to be available.”
She went on to suggest that consumers should take a broader look at how their spending habits reflect their values.
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🚨 JUST IN: Michelle Obama is being ripped for urging an anti-white BOYCOTT
She said to “make it a point” to buy people of color’s brands of clothes and to “think” about which race owns clothes you’re going to buy
Racist and disgraceful First Lady.pic.twitter.com/0F2uiHHnip
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 19, 2026
“I think we can all do some work to think about that balance in our wardrobes,” Obama continued. “What does our closet look like and who’s in it? Who are we supporting in it?”
Obama also argued that cost should not be used as an excuse to avoid supporting minority-owned brands, drawing a direct comparison to luxury fashion houses.
Michelle Obama is facing a major backlash after calling for an anti-white boycott of all clothing brands.
Michelle, that skirt you’re wearing wouldn’t happen to be this $1,185 skirt made by Emilia Wickstead, a white designer, would it?
Hypocrite much? pic.twitter.com/o5uOBy4S7I
— Danielle D’Souza Gill (@danielledsouzag) January 21, 2026
“And I think if you have the money to buy Chanel, then you have the money to buy everybody,” she said. “Let us be mindful, I think would be my advice.”
The comments quickly sparked debate online, with some arguing that Obama’s framing encourages consumers to make purchasing decisions based on race rather than quality or preference.
AUSTIN – MARCH 16, 2016: First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the SXSW event Let Girls Learn in Austin, Texas.
Obama has frequently used her public platform to discuss race, equity, and representation since leaving the White House, and her fashion choices as first lady were often highlighted for featuring lesser-known and emerging designers.
While the former first lady framed her comments as advice rather than a mandate, the remarks add to an ongoing national conversation about consumer activism and whether buying decisions should be shaped by identity-based considerations.
