Michelle Obama cheers Coco Gauff after US Open loss but skips Jessica Pegula — fans demand answers

Former First Lady Michelle Obama drew sharp criticism on social media after posting a public tribute to Coco Gauff following the US Open semifinals, while saying nothing about fellow American Jessica Pegula, who lost on the same night.

Both women fell in the semifinal round at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night. Pegula lost to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. Gauff pushed Elena Rybakina to three sets before going down. Two American players, two losses, one evening, and only one got a shout-out from Obama.

Shortly after the matches, Obama posted on X:

"Big hugs to @CocoGauff!!! She's a joy to watch. Always proud. Go USA Tennis!!"

No similar message went out for Pegula. No "Go USA Tennis" for the other American who walked off the court that night. The omission did not go unnoticed.

Fans call out a pattern they say speaks for itself

Reaction on X was immediate and pointed. One user wrote: "Why do you only show up & root for black athletes?!? Racist much?" Another posted: "Melania Trump would never congratulate and praise only the loser who happens to be the same color. You continue to be a disgrace."

Tennis journalist Pavvy G framed the issue more broadly:

"Two US women lost in the @usopen semis last night, Jess Pegula and Coco Gauff. Michelle Obama sends a message to Gauff but not Pegula? Why can't people just see players as human beings not what colour skin they are? Establishment are creating divisions not unity, wake up peeps"

Gauff is Black. Pegula is white. Obama, who was in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium that evening, chose to publicly acknowledge only one of them. The facts are straightforward. The question people are asking is why.

Obama has never been shy about championing specific athletes. She has been a vocal supporter of Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese, and no stranger to public statements that have made controversy. On a prior occasion, Obama addressed Reese's critics directly:

"Don't mess with this girl. Don't mess with her spirit. Do not mess with this angel. Stop it. Just stop it."

Reese, like Gauff, is a young Black woman in professional sports. Obama's willingness to go to bat publicly for athletes who share her racial background, while passing over others in identical circumstances, is the pattern critics are flagging.

Two Americans lost on the same court, but only one mattered to Obama

Pegula and Gauff both represented the United States in the biggest tennis tournament in the country. Both competed on the same stage, in the same round, on the same night. Both lost. Obama sat in the stands for both matches. And when she got home and opened X, she picked one to celebrate and left the other out entirely.

No one is arguing that Obama cannot support whichever athlete she likes. She is a private citizen. But she is also one of the most prominent public figures in the country, someone who routinely frames her public commentary in terms of unity, empowerment, and representation. When that commentary consistently tracks along racial lines, and when the omission is this visible, people notice.

Obama, who has remained a frequent presence in public life since leaving the White House, including high-profile appearances and social outings, has not responded to the criticism. No statement from her representatives has surfaced addressing the backlash.

The silence only sharpens the contrast. If the former First Lady's message was truly about patriotism and American tennis, "Go USA Tennis!!", the absence of any acknowledgment for Pegula contradicts that framing on its face. Both women carried the flag. Only one got the hug.

Leaders who talk about unity but practice selectivity aren't building bridges. They're sorting people into categories, and Americans can see it plainly.