Jillian Michaels, the fitness personality best known for The Biggest Loser, is facing backlash after being accused of whitewashing slavery during a CNN NewsNight panel on August 13, 2025.
The discussion, which began with the politicization of the arts under former President Donald Trump’s administration, shifted sharply when Michaels said slavery, imperialism, and racism should not be tied to a single race. She argued that slavery had existed “across cultures and races throughout history,” and noted that “less than 2% of white Americans owned slaves.”
Her comments drew immediate pushback from fellow panelists, including Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky and Congressman Ritchie Torres, who said slavery in the United States was inseparable from white supremacy. Critics online accused Michaels of downplaying the racial nature of slavery in America and erasing its historical context.
The controversy has ignited a fierce debate on social media. Opponents say her framing distorts history and echoes rhetoric used to minimize systemic racism.
Michaels has not responded publicly to the accusations or addressed the growing criticism.
