White House silent on UFC fighter’s slur on Michelle Obama
The Trump administration has refused to comment after a UFC fighter spouted a conspiracy theory against Michelle Obama at the White House cage fighting event.
After winning his fight, heavyweight Josh Hokit made the vile remark.
Josh Hokit presenting a necklace to Donald Trump. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
“Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put on some s— like this,” he said.
“Lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
Hokit’s remarks drew widespread criticism, but Trump remained silent.
Neither the president nor the White House has addressed the insult, despite the president having time to post repeatedly on Truth Social, including about the event.
“The UFC at the White House last night was incredible. The weather was scheduled to be horrendous, and it turned out to be PERFECT!” Trump wrote.
“The Fighters were outstanding — Bo Nickal, Justin Gaethje, Ciryl Gane, Sean O’Malley, Josh Hokit, Mauricio Ruffy, and Diego Lopes were all unbelievable!
“Most people have never seen anything like that kind of human speed and power before.”
When asked about the insult by CNN, White House communications director Steven Cheung praised Hokit’s performance.
Josh Hokit made a vile slur against Michelle Obama. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
“He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground,” Cheung said.
But UFC CEO Dana White distanced himself from the remarks.
“Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense,” he told Time magazine.
“I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families.”
White and Trump are long-time friends.
Hokit’s remarks were strongly criticised by Democrats.
“Scurrilous low life on the White House lawn—an unimaginable insult to all Americans,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said.
Representative Becca Balint went further.
“The comment was disgusting, racist, and obviously not true, but this is a great opportunity to remind folks that First Lady Melania Trump was in the Epstein files, which is disgusting and unfortunately very true,” she said.
Balint accompanied her statement on Bluesky with screenshots of Melania Trump’s email correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Obamas have not commented on Hokit’s insult.
Instead, the couple have been sharing photos of Barack Obama playing basketball and talking with children, and admiring a portrait of the two of them on display at the Obama Presidential Centre.
Michelle Obama has been the subject of multiple conspiracy theories from the right since she entered the public eye in 2008.
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