Trump under growing pressure to condemn UFC fighter for disparaging Michelle Obama

Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to condemn an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor who used a White House appearance to push a sexist, racist and transphobic conspiracy theory about former first lady Michelle Obama.

At a UFC event on the South Lawn on Sunday, which coincided with the US president's 80th birthday, fighter Josh Hokit shouted into the microphone after his win: "Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?" According to CNN, Trump appeared to show a half-smile seconds after Hokit's slur, while some in the audience burst into laughter. The false claim can be traced to far-right online echo chambers. The president himself has a history of making offensive remarks.

Hokit's outburst was widely denounced at the event, which critics had already derided as a tacky and vulgar debasement of the White House ahead of the 250th anniversary of independence. Donna Brazile, former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, said: "Michelle Obama's legacy speaks for itself. Shame on the vile comments from that UFC fighter."

Sunny Hostin, a lawyer, journalist and co-host of "The View" on ABC, addressed the controversy on Monday's show. She noted that Black women have historically been slurred and made to feel unattractive, masculine, and less feminine than white women, and that this intersection of racism and sexism was on full display at the White House. "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," she said.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but even Trump allies called for the president to break his silence. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, who endorsed and voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, said on "Wake Up Barstool" on Fox Sports 1: "There was one moment I do think Trump has to denounce ... that crazy fighter guy ... he made a derogatory comment about Michelle Obama. That has to be an immediate denounce."

UFC impresario Dana White told Time magazine in a text message: "I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense."

Former American football quarterback Robert Griffin III, who does not support Trump but has called for understanding of his supporters, wrote on X: "What a disgrace. It takes a really small man to use his biggest moment to attack a woman by calling her a man. Especially with the history behind calling Black women men."

However, some on the right defended Hokit. Dan Bongino, a rightwing podcaster and former deputy director of the FBI under Trump, tweeted: "The pearl clutching over a joke, made by a UFC heavyweight known for his post-fight stand-up comedy acts, is next level hypocrisy. The same people moaning and clawing at their faces over it have absolutely no problem calling President Trump and his supporters 'Nazis' and 'fascists,' so I’ll pass on the faux outrage. Thanks. And have a splendid day!"

Michelle Obama and her husband, former president Barack Obama, are regularly the targets of racist abuse. Earlier this year, Trump shared a video clip on his Truth Social platform that depicted the couple as apes, then deleted it after an outcry.