Josh Hokit, a heavyweight UFC fighter, has made multiple headlines recently, after calling former First Lady Michelle Obama “a man” during a live broadcast. The remarks were made at the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 event, held on the White House lawn. As per a report shared by Us Weekly, Hokit had just won his heavyweight fight against Derrick Lewis when he grabbed the microphone during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan on the Paramount+ livestream and shouted,
“And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
Joe Rogan appeared flustered by the comment, stepping back from the fighter and simply saying,
“Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.”
The remarks went unaddressed for the remainder of the broadcast. While the Obamas have not publicly addressed the situation, many celebrities have. Shortly after Hokit made his remarks, Jamie Foxx took to Instagram and posted a photo of the former First Lady, writing,
“Beautiful and accomplished…”
Sunny Hostin addresses Josh Hokit’s remarks about Michelle Obama on The View:
During Monday’s episode of The View, Sunny Hostin took aim at Hokit’s comments about Michelle Obama during the show’s “Hot Topics” segment. Hostin told the audience that she would not be repeating what was said, but urged them to look it up themselves.
“I think the reason why it’s important is because for a long time, Black women have been slurred and made to feel that they were unattractive, made to feel masculine, made to feel that they didn’t have the femininity that a white woman would have,” she shared.
Hostin wasn’t done there. She also directed her criticism at President Trump, who was present at the White House lawn event when Hokit made his remarks.
“The crowd laughed at the statement and the president of the United States smirked and never addressed what was said. That is beneath the dignity of the office of the president of the United States and it’s beneath the dignity of the American people,” Hostin added.
Sheryl Crow and Holly Robinson Peete react to Josh Hokit’s remarks about Michelle Obama:
Holly Robinson Peete, the former co-host of The Talk, was also among the celebrities who responded to Hokit’s remarks. She took to Instagram to share her thoughts, writing,
“No insult can shrink a woman whose legacy is already larger than the people attacking her. #clockit 🤏🏽. My spirit was shook last night but this morning I rise 🙌🏾.”
Singer Sheryl Crow also weighed in, sharing her reaction via her Instagram Story. Crow made it clear that staying silent was not something she was willing to do.
“To stay quiet means to turn a blind eye. And so I am saying this. What happened last night on the lawn of the White House was disgraceful and void of decency,” she wrote.
“Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment. All while the average American cannot afford healthcare, gas and cost of living,” she continued.
Sheryl Crow then added,
“If we continue to support this kind of distraction from reality, we are no better than them. Let’s be better, America.”
Dana White distances himself from Josh Hokit’s Michelle Obama remarks:
UFC CEO Dana White, who was seen at the UFC Freedom 250 event alongside President Trump and First Lady Melania, has since spoken out against Hokit’s remarks against Michelle Obama. White shared his position with Time magazine via text message.
“I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” he wrote.
“Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense,” he added.
The UFC Freedom 250 event was otherwise a largely celebratory affair. As per a report shared by Variety, the event was held to mark America’s two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, which also happened to fall on President Trump’s eightieth birthday. UFC athletes from both the United States and abroad walked out of the White House and into the octagon, marching alongside veterans and first responders, as people dressed as Revolutionary War soldiers stood guard. The Zac Brown Band performed the national anthem.
Edited by Ryan D’souza