Stephen A. Smith rips Trump over silence on UFC fighter’s Michelle Obama remark

Media Stephen A. Smith rips Trump over silence on UFC fighter’s Michelle Obama remark Comments: by Tara Suter - 06/18/26 12:50 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Tara Suter - 06/18/26 12:50 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith went after President Trump for comments made by a UFC fighter about former first lady Michelle Obama, calling the remarks “disgusting.”

“That was an incredibly disparaging remark about one of the greatest first ladies, if not the greatest first lady we have seen. It was a disgusting thing to say. It was inexcusable,” Smith said on his SiriusXM show “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.”

“When he said it, Trump smiled,” Smith added, in a part of the show posted Wednesday to YouTube. “It was denounced, thank God, by Dana White, the president and CEO of the UFC.”

Smith added later on his show that UFC fighter Josh Hokit’s comments “should’ve immediately been denounced by the president.”

“But he doesn’t do that enough, and that’s the problem.”

Hokit has faced criticism over his remarks after winning his bout on the South Lawn of the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 event on Sunday.

While being interviewed by podcaster and UFC announcer Joe Rogan, Hokit grinned and looked into the camera, saying, “And lastly … Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?”

Hokit’s comment seemed to reference a conspiracy theory which has become popular among the political right in recent years about the former first lady. Multiple figures in sports, politics and pop culture have rebuffed Hokit.

“Josh Hokit won the biggest fight of his career at the White House and decides to finish his interview by calling Michelle Obama a Man. What a disgrace,” former NFL quarterback and sports broadcaster Robert Griffin III said in a social media post.

“It takes a really small man to use his biggest moment to attack a woman by calling her a man. Especially with the history behind calling black women men.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.