Alexis Ohanian reacts to backlash over White House UFC attendance

Fans are upset with Alexis Ohanian’s attendance at the UFC Freedom 250 Event at the White House.

The Reddit co-founder is married to Serena Williams, and fans did not take too kindly to him being at the event in which a UFC fighter went viral for a vulgar slur at Former First Lady Michelle Obama. He addressed the viral comment on X.

“Lot of people asking me to comment: Yes, that fighter’s slur about former First Lady Michelle Obama was vile and inappropriate,” Ohanian wrote on Wednesday, June 17.

He continued, “I attended the UFC event via invitation from TKO/IMG leadership [I own 5 pro sports teams + a league]. I was already on my way home when those comments were made and was glad to see [UFC president and CEO White] Dana condemn them.”

“I resigned in protest from Reddit [the company I co-founded and built for over a decade] specifically to push it to curb communities for hate and violence on the site,” he concluded.

The UFC fighter who went viral for his hateful comment was Josh Hokit, who won his match against Derrick Lewis in the Octagon. Following the match, he was interviewed by podcaster Joe Rogan when he unexpectedly shouted towards the end of his interview, “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

According to NBC, Hokit had a mixed crowd reaction to the vile insult in which some booed him, others cheered and laughed. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in the audience during the insult and reportedly Donald Trump gave a small smile after the comment was made according to TMZ. Rogan also did not respond to his outburst and instead decided to just conclude the interview, “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.”

While Michelle has not responded to Hokit, White shared that the derogatory comment was uncalled for.

“I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White told TIME’s Sean Gregory via text message. “Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense.”

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