President Donald Trump praised UFC fighter Josh Hokit on Truth Social Monday night following the heavyweight prospect’s controversial post-fight comments about former First Lady Michelle Obama at UFC Freedom 250, calling him and other fighters “unbelievable” and stating “Most people have never seen anything like that kind of human speed and power before.”
The 28-year-old fighter sparked national outrage during a live interview with commentator Joe Rogan after defeating Derrick Lewis via technical knockout in the second round at the historic White House event on Sunday, June 14, 2026. After thanking Trump for hosting the event, Hokit told Rogan, “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right America?”
When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper, the White House refused to directly address questions about Hokit’s comment. The administration has not publicly condemned the remarks or indicated whether the president will address them.
Fresh reporting reveals this was not an isolated incident for Hokit, who has a history of making the same slur against Michelle Obama, including after a fight in May 2025. The fighter has also described WNBA star Brittney Griner as a man and referred to Black MMA competitor Torrez Finney as a “human gorilla.” He has additionally claimed all Brazilian men are “stupid.”
Fellow fighters Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria have reacted negatively to Hokit’s conduct. UFC officials shared an eight-second clip of Hokit’s post-fight speech on social media that included an insult about fellow fighter Alex Pereira’s mother but was cut before the Obama comment.
During the broadcast, Rogan said only “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit,” before ending the interview. Trump, sitting in the front row with First Lady Melania Trump and UFC CEO Dana White, “appeared to show a half-smile” seconds after Hokit’s outrageous remark, according to CNN. New York Post journalist Steven Nelson reported that Trump later took off a chain the fighter had draped over him following the comment.
The UFC Freedom 250 card marked the first professional mixed martial arts event ever staged at the White House. Trump transformed the historic South Lawn into a cage-fighting arena to celebrate both his 80th birthday and the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence. All seven fights at the event ended in stoppages.
The event was delayed by weather and ran until after 1:15 a.m. Monday morning. Approximately 4,300 spectators attended the outdoor spectacle, which included military flyovers by the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, as well as a B-1 bomber pass.
Hokit’s statement amplified a false narrative promoted by fringe conspiracy theorists who have for years falsely claimed that the former first lady is transgender. The moment became one of the most talked-about incidents from an event already generating significant controversy during a White House-sanctioned event broadcast exclusively on Paramount+.
White House communications adviser Margo Martin captured the moment on Instagram when Hokit placed a medallion around Trump’s neck after his victory. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman, quoted by the Daily Star, said Trump told Hokit, “Too kind, thank you. You are the champion.” The Times reported that Trump donned a white baseball cap after Hokit mussed his hair while placing the medallion.
At a UFC event in January, Hokit made similar remarks about Brittney Griner. The fighter also went viral on Saturday during the weigh-in for Freedom 250 after appearing to stagger and vomit on himself.
Reecie Colbert, host of Sirius XM’s “The Reecie Colbert Show,” told theGrio that Trump has provided a “permission slip to be as brazenly racist and sexist as possible” throughout his political career. She added that Trump and his supporters have fostered an environment where such comments are not only acceptable but celebrated.
The controversy over Hokit’s statement comes amid Trump’s ongoing pattern of attacks on the Obama family. On February 12, 2026, the president posted a video depicting both Barack and Michelle Obama as primates. After removal of the video, the White House attributed it to an unnamed staffer, but Trump repeatedly refused to apologize for the racist content. Weeks later, Trump reshared a post from ally Laura Loomer calling Michelle Obama an “anti-white racist.”
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has been a vocal critic of Trump and declined to attend both his second inauguration in January 2025 and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. She said on her podcast “IMO” that her decision to skip such events “suited” her, given Trump’s history of attacks on her family.
Former CNN host Don Lemon reacted to the clip on his show with visible disgust, rolling his eyes and grabbing a bag as if preparing to leave.
The Daily Beast contacted the White House and representatives for Michelle Obama for comment but did not receive responses. Paramount+, which aired the event exclusively, declined to comment.
Trump’s entire immediate family was in attendance at the event, along with high-profile guests including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Winklevoss twins, cabinet officials, and foreign dignitaries.
Despite the controversy, the UFC Freedom 250 main event delivered one of the year’s biggest upsets. Justin Gaethje rallied from several dangerous moments to defeat the previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria after four brutal rounds, claiming the undisputed lightweight championship shortly after 1 a.m. Monday. “I’m from America,” Gaethje said afterward, drawing parallels to the nation’s founding.
The event concluded what Trump and White House officials called “a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit,” though critics argued it demonstrated something far less noble about the current state of American political discourse.
