JD Vance has downplayed the controversy involving UFC fighter Josh Hokit, who referred to Michelle Obama as a “man” during the Freedom 250 event at the White House. Vance described it as an “amped up fighter telling a joke,” RadarOnline.com reports.
Vance made these remarks while on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where they discussed the incident and Hokit’s contentious statement. Vance, 41, expressed surprise at what people get “fired up about” these days.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan noted that Hokit had employed an incorrect armbar technique, which allowed his opponent Derrick Lewis to hold out for 30 seconds before giving in. He humorously asked Vance whether the incorrect armbar or Hokit’s comment about Michelle Obama was more shocking, prompting laughter between them.
“Uh, definitely the armbar part. Man, I work in politics. People say crazy stuff all the time,” Vance said regarding Hokit’s comment.
Rogan mentioned that insulting the former first lady is part of Hokit’s routine, likening him to a “pro wrestling character” who repeats this act in every fight. Vance noted, “People lost their minds about it,” in response to the controversial jab at Obama.
Vance also recounted his experience on the left-leaning show The View the day following the fight, part of the promotional tour for his new memoir, Communion.
“It was crazy. It was harder than anything I’ve done in politics. My comms team was mostly worried about them asking about Michelle Obama being called a man. What was I going to say about it?” he shared, as he and Rogan laughed about the situation.
“I said, ‘An amped-up fighter told a joke after a fight.’ That became national news,” Vance continued, expressing his surprise at the uproar the comment caused.
“I’m still surprised. I’ve been in politics for three or four years now. I’m still shocked at the s— that people get really fired up about,” Vance added.
Rogan pointed out that while Hokit has made similar remarks about the Becoming author before as part of his UFC persona, uttering the comment at the White House is what made it viral.
“It’s not the best thing to say at the White House. Michelle Obama’s a man is not the best thing to say,” Rogan said, adding that if Hokit had made the comment at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, it likely wouldn’t have caused as much of a stir.
“Fair, but the reaction to it, to me, was still totally disproportionate,” Vance replied.
Hokit later claimed that his statement, “Michelle Obama is a man, am I right America?” after his victory against Lewis, was meant as a “compliment.”
“I thought I was giving her a compliment,” he stated on The Ariel Helwani Show, though the host noted that most people did not interpret it that way.
Hokit explained, “Michelle Obama being a man. It’s like she knows how to deal with adversity. She knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough,” asserting it was a nod to the First Amendment.
“I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech,” he added.
