Key facts
- UFC fighter Josh Hokit made a sexist, racist, and transphobic conspiracy theory about Michelle Obama at a White House event.
- Hokit's comment was made in front of Donald Trump, who appeared to smile.
- The incident has led to widespread condemnation from various public figures and commentators.
- Some Trump allies, including Dave Portnoy, have called for Trump to condemn the remarks.
- Others, like Dan Bongino, have defended the comment as a joke and criticized the outrage.
Donald Trump is facing increasing pressure to condemn UFC fighter Josh Hokit, who made a sexist, racist, and transphobic conspiracy theory about former first lady Michelle Obama during a White House event. Hokit shouted into the microphone in front of Trump, "Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?" Trump appeared to smile at the comment, which has been traced to far-right online sources.
The outburst at the UFC event, held on the South Lawn, has been widely denounced. Donna Brazile stated that Michelle Obama's legacy speaks for itself and condemned the fighter's vile comments. Sunny Hostin, on The View, addressed the intersectionality of racism and sexism, noting that the crowd laughed and the President smirked, calling the display beneath the dignity of the office.
Even some Trump allies have called for the President to break his silence. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, who endorsed Trump, stated that the fighter's derogatory comment must be immediately denounced. UFC President Dana White expressed his opposition to making nasty and false comments about people's families, despite his stance on free speech.
Robert Griffin III criticized the attack as the act of a "small man" and highlighted the historical context of such remarks against Black women. However, some on the right, including podcaster Dan Bongino, defended Hokit's comment as a joke and criticized the backlash as hypocritical, drawing parallels to criticisms leveled against Trump and his supporters.