The Obamas expressed strong opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end Affirmative Action on college campuses. Former President Obama emphasized that while affirmative action was never a complete solution, it gave marginalized students a chance to prove themselves and be included in key institutions. Michelle Obama shared her personal experience of being one of the few Black students at her college, acknowledging the doubts she sometimes faced about whether she earned her place or benefited from affirmative action. She highlighted how the policy helped not just students of color but all students by broadening perspectives and opportunities. However, their vocal stance on oppression faced backlash when the Daily Mail reported that the Obamas were vacationing lavishly in Greece with celebrity friend Tom Hanks and their families. The exclusive photos showed them dining al fresco on a luxurious island, arriving by dinghy from a nearby yacht, guarded by heavy security. Critics pointed to this scene as evidence that the Obamas enjoy privileges far removed from the struggles they claim to represent.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also ruled on President Biden’s student debt relief program. In a 9-0 decision (Dept. of Education v. Brown), the court dismissed a lawsuit for lack of standing involving individual borrowers, but in a 6-3 ruling (Biden v. Nebraska), it struck down the debt forgiveness plan itself. The Biden administration had based the program on the HEROES Act, which permits modification of student aid during national emergencies. Additionally, there are ongoing legal efforts, including a class action settlement that would erase loans and repair credit for hundreds of thousands of borrowers affected by improper denials of repayment relief.
