Josh Hokit’s – A UFC fighter’s post-bout claim that Michelle Obama is “a man” at a White House event drew fresh attention to years of racist attacks on the former first lady. UFC CEO Dana White said he’s “completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s famili
Josh Hokit’s post-bout moment at the White House didn’t end when the horn faded. During an interview hosted by Joe Rogan following his UFC appearance at an event hosted by President Donald Trump to mark America’s 250th birthday. Hokit shouted: “And lastly — Michelle Obama is a man!. Am I right, America?”.
The claim landed alongside a growing drumbeat of racist, conspiratorial and demeaning attacks that the Obamas have faced for years—online and in public life—since Michelle Obama made history as the first African American woman to serve as first lady.
A request for comment from a representative for the Obamas was not returned Monday.
Dana White, the UFC CEO, responded quickly. In a text to TIME magazine. White said. “I understand that the Obama’s [sic] are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families.” White has often defended free speech. but added. “I hate that kind of nonsense.”.
Hokit’s remarks were not challenged in the moment. Rogan, who hosted the in-ring interviews, did not push back on Hokit’s statement. The claim itself is tied to a far-right conspiracy theory that has been debunked many times.
White’s words come with an asterisk rooted in UFC practice. White has never publicly disciplined fighters for the use of slurs or derogatory language, making it unclear whether Hokit would face any consequences this time.
Hokit, in January, also targeted Brittney Griner, the WNBA star—another example of how his public remarks have moved beyond sports into personal attacks.
Michelle Obama has heard this kind of assault before. More than 9 years after she left the White House, she “still can’t escape the abuse,” according to the broader record of criticism she has faced since her tenure.
The latest cycle of attacks fits a long pattern: racist tropes and derogatory commentary that have ranged from comments by public officials to viral online memes. The attacks have included incidents reaching across years and places. from a mayor in a small city in Washington in 2015 to a West Virginia county employee in 2019.
Earlier this year, President Trump shared an AI-generated meme on TruthSocial depicting the Obamas as apes in the jungle. The White House initially defended the post before removing it. A White House official later told the outlet at the time that it was “erroneously” shared by a staff member.
For Michelle Obama, the abuse has also taken aim at her appearance. A 2011 cartoon depicted her as overweight and bingeing on hamburgers. More recently, she has been accused of taking Ozempic to lose weight.
In 2016. during the Democratic National Convention. Obama said. “When they go low. we go high. ” signaling she was prepared for insults as well as conspiracy theories—while keeping her response measured. In 2017. she told the world she was still wounded by the intent behind the attacks. saying. “The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut. ” and then admitting it was hard to accept that “after eight years of working really hard for this country. there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”.
Her remarks about identity and public scrutiny were never only political. In 2022, she shared that she wanted to wear her hair in braids during her tenure but chose not to because Americans were “not ready.” She also said her time as first lady heavily influenced her fashion and style choices.
Since leaving the White House, Obama has said she is finding confidence and freedom, including through the kind of bold fashion moments that critics often try to reduce to caricature—such as her well-known Balenciaga sequin thigh-high boots.
The scrutiny never ends for first ladies, even when their terms are over. All first ladies face criticism and constant attention. and there are longstanding accusations about the White House’s treatment of the current first lady. Melania Trump—including claims that a body double is used. The “free Melania” viral meme has also circulated, insinuating she is trapped in an unhappy marriage.
For most first ladies, the barrage can fade once their husband leaves the presidency. Obama’s experience has not followed that quieter path.
At the same time, public opinion data suggests her standing remains unusually strong. She has an approval rating of 66% among all voters and 87% among Democrats, according to Marist polling—substantially higher than Trump’s latest approval rating of 39%.
The Hokit remarks at the White House added another flashpoint to a long-running story: the distance between what’s said in public and what it does to people who have already lived through waves of racist degradation—and the question of whether any enforcement will follow when those attacks arrive dressed up as “banter.”.
Michelle Obama Josh Hokit UFC Dana White Joe Rogan Donald Trump White House conspiracy theory TIME magazine Marist polling Brittney Griner free speech racist attacks