UFC fighter Josh Hokit, 28, used a moment at Donald Trump's 80th birthday UFC event at the White House to insult former First Lady Michelle Obama. During the weigh-in, Hokit pretended to vomit on himself, claiming he had been drinking. He then told reporters, 'Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put some s— like this on.' He added, 'There's only one person more incredible than the Incredible Hulk, and that's my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' He concluded, 'And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?' The crowd laughed as he walked away.
Background of Controversy
Earlier this year, the White House removed a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to criticism at the time, telling Metro to 'stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.'
Security Incident at the Event
Trump's birthday bash also saw UFC champion Sean Strickland, a vocal critic of the president, escorted out of a viewing party. He was filmed surrounded by Secret Service agents, who led him to a black car and drove him away.
President Trump and UFC chief Dana White walked together from the Oval Office to the White House balcony overlooking the custom-built arena, nicknamed 'The Claw,' on the South Lawn. The national anthem played as fighter jets flew overhead, prompting chants of 'USA, USA' from the crowd.
Notable Guests
Among the 4,000 guests was British heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury, wearing a 'Donald Trump for Prime Minister' baseball hat. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was seen speaking to the president during a break. Other cage-side attendees included FBI Director Kash Patel, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Sir Christian Turner, the UK's ambassador to the US, posted an image of himself at the event on X, captioning it: 'Celebrating US250 the American way.'
Cost and Resources
While the administration stated the UFC would cover the £45 million cost, official documents reveal seven federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, allocated significant resources and manpower to the event, which faced an unsuccessful legal challenge. Tens of thousands more watched the Freedom 250 bouts on a big screen in a nearby park, with some traveling across the country for the spectacle.
