Vice President JD Vance said public reaction to a UFC fighter’s remark about former first lady Michelle Obama was “totally disproportionate,” describing the response as people having “lost their minds.”
The comment arose after fighter Josh Hokit declared “Michelle Obama is a man” during a victory speech at the White House’s Freedom 250 UFC event last month, prompting widespread online backlash.
UFC leadership publicly called the remark “nasty and false.” Hokit, however, later said he intended it as a compliment referencing resilience and hard work.
Speaking on a podcast, Vance was asked whether Hokit’s comment or his length of hold in a match was more surprising. Vance said the athletic feat stood out more, noting that provocative statements are common in politics.
Vance said his communications team prepared him to address the Obama remark during a televised book tour appearance, fearing it would dominate questioning. He expressed disbelief that an offhand joke by an excited athlete became national news.
He argued the intensity of the response reflected a culture prone to overreaction, particularly when the original statement appeared designed to provoke exactly that response.
The vice president said the appropriate response would have been a brief acknowledgment of offense followed by moving on, rather than sustained outrage.
The podcast host, a UFC commentator, noted Hokit has repeated similar comments at past fights and built a “bad guy” persona to gain attention in a crowded sport.
According to the commentator, Hokit is personable outside the arena, with the provocative character serving as a performance tactic rather than a personal belief.
Vance maintained he does not understand why some individuals become intensely upset over such moments, stressing that far more consequential decisions occur in public life.
