Vice President JD Vance Says Reaction to UFC Fighter's Michelle Obama Remark Was Disproportionate

Vice President JD Vance said the reaction to UFC fighter Josh Hokit calling Michelle Obama a man was totally disproportionate during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. The episode was posted on Wednesday. Washington Examiner reported that Rogan asked Vance whether Hokit’s comment or the length of his appointment was more shocking.

Vance replied that the armbar part of the fight was more shocking. He added that he works in politics where people say crazy stuff all the time. Hokit made the remark during his victory speech after winning a match at the Freedom 250 UFC fight at the White House last month.

UFC CEO Dana White called the comment nasty and false. Vance said his communications team prepared him to answer questions about the remark during a book tour appearance on The View.

He expressed surprise that an amped-up fighter telling a joke after a fight became national news. Rogan noted that Hokit comments on Michelle Obama at almost every fight. Hokit said in a June interview with podcaster Ariel Helwani that he meant the remark as a compliment because Michelle Obama knows how to deal with adversity and work hard like a man when times get tough.

Vance said he has been in politics for three or four years and remains shocked by what people get fired up about. He argued that the people who flip out over such comments are giving Hokit exactly what he wants.