A UFC fighter used his post-fight interview to publicly repeat a crude conspiracy theory about former First Lady Michelle Obama during an unprecedented mixed martial arts event held on the White House lawn Sunday night, while President Donald Trump sat ringside and later praised the evening without addressing the controversial moment.
Controversial Post-Fight Interview Targets Former First Lady
Josh Hokit directed his comments at Michelle Obama immediately after defeating Derrick Lewis in a mid-card bout at UFC Freedom 250. Speaking to podcaster Joe Rogan in the octagon, Hokit concluded his interview by promoting a right-wing conspiracy theory about the former First Lady, asking if America agreed with his claim. Rogan smiled but did not respond to the statement, quickly ending the interview. Before his fight, Hokit had approached the President to present him with what appeared to be a gold chain containing an encased trading card.
Star-Studded White House Celebration
The event marked President Trump’s 80th birthday, with the crowd singing to him midway through the seven-bout card. Trump entered alongside UFC President Dana White and sat in the front row with First Lady Melania Trump and family members. The main event featured American fighter Justin Gaethje claiming an upset victory over Georgian Ilia Topuria for the Lightweight Championship. High-profile attendees included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, and administration officials like Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Athletes including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Tyson Fury, and Roman Reigns also attended.
President Praises Event, Ignores Controversy
Trump posted on Truth Social Monday morning celebrating the event as incredible, noting the weather predictions proved wrong and calling the White House setting unsurpassed. His statement congratulated Dana White and the UFC organization, describing it as one of the most exciting days in White House history. The President made no mention of Hokit’s controversial remarks about the former First Lady. The event was livestreamed on Paramount Plus, owned by Larry Ellison, whose son David attended alongside Trump. The evening proceeded despite initial weather delays that threatened the outdoor venue.