The White House has responded after UFC fighter Josh Hokit called former first lady Michelle Obama “a man” during UFC Freedom 250.
“He had a great win last night,” White House spokesman Steven Cheung told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday, June 15 about Hokit’s comments. “He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground.”
Hokit, 28, made his controversial statement during a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan after he defeated fellow heavyweight Derrick Lewis on Sunday, June 14, at the UFC event held on the White House’s South Lawn. President Donald Trump was among the politicians and celebrities in attendance.
“Michelle Obama is a man,” Hokit said. “Am I right, America?”
Us Weekly has reached out to both the White House and Obama’s representatives for comment.
While the White House seemed to dodge the controversy on Monday, UFC CEO Dana White denounced Hokit’s comments in a text message to Time magazine.
“I understand that the Obama’s [sic] are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White, 56, said. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Hokit had made a similar comment about WNBA star Brittney Griner, saying she “is a man” during a post-fight interview with Rogan, 58, in January.
“I don’t love it,” White, 56, said about Hokit’s remark at the time, according to USA Today.
Hokit’s remark wasn’t the only source of controversy at UFC Freedom 250. The event itself, put on as part of Trump, 80, and his administration’s 250th anniversary celebrations for the U.S., was the subject of criticism virtually from the moment it was announced.
Trump’s critics questioned the appropriateness of staging a fight at the White House and blasted those who elected to attend or participate amid the President’s turbulent second term.
Country music star Zac Brown performed at the event, defending his decision during a Wednesday, June 10 appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show, where he said his performance was an act of “patriotism, not politics.”
“Man, I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America,” Brown, 47, said.
The singer added, “I mean, f*** all the division. I don’t believe in that. I love this country. I love all the people that have sacrificed so that I can live my American dream and that everyone that lives here gets a chance to do that if they work hard and make the right decisions. So it doesn’t have a place in politics for me.”
