Michelle Obama Launches Podcast With Her Brother
Michelle Obama’s foray into podcasting was expected to be a major media event, but the reality has been far less impressive. Her new show, IMO (In My Opinion), co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson, launched with high expectations.
The assumption was that Obama, widely regarded as a significant cultural and political figure, would command a massive audience. Instead, the show has struggled to gain traction, with viewership numbers that are underwhelming by any standard.
The former First Lady is often portrayed as a beloved figure within the Democratic Party, with some even speculating that she could be a last-minute contender in the 2024 presidential election.
I used to be worried about Michelle Obama running for the White House, but after listening to her talk for 90 seconds on her podcast, I now realize that she's as likable as a bad case of hemorrhoids pic.twitter.com/xpzzjnrjSH
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) March 14, 2025
However, IMO has exposed a major flaw in that narrative—she is simply not an engaging media personality. Despite being a well-known public figure, her podcast lacks the kind of energy or compelling content that draws audiences in.
The promotional material for the podcast, intended to generate excitement, has done little to change this perception. The topics discussed—such as whether a hot dog qualifies as a sandwich—fail to deliver any real depth or insight. The lack of interest is evident in the numbers.
On YouTube, the podcast’s digital exclusive has struggled to attract views, performing at a level comparable to a sparsely attended minor league baseball game. In contrast, even the most mundane viral videos—like a cat knocking over a glass—can easily outperform it.
Gutfeld: "Michelle Obama surprised fans on her new podcast by saying her pet peeve about her husband is that he's chronically late. For example we're still waiting on him to admit he's from Kenya." pic.twitter.com/npOntlVYvg
— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) March 14, 2025
This failure is reminiscent of Meghan Markle’s disastrous partnership with Netflix, which failed to generate the kind of buzz that was expected. Markle’s unpopularity was a predictable hurdle, but Michelle Obama was assumed to be in a different league. Yet, IMO has demonstrated that cultural and political admiration do not automatically translate into entertainment success.
Adding to the speculation surrounding Obama’s media ventures are persistent rumors of personal troubles, including unconfirmed reports of marital issues with former President Barack Obama. While these remain unverified, they have only contributed to the sense that her public image is shifting.