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Comedian Shane Gillis said he “didn’t like” UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit’s crude post-fight remark about former first lady Michelle Obama after Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis at Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
Hokit made the comment inside the Octagon during a post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, claiming without evidence that Michelle Obama is a man.
“Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” Hokit said to the crowd at the end of the interview.
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Josh Hokit celebrates his victory over Derrick Lewis during a heavyweight bout at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026. Following the fight, Hokit drew attention for a joke about former first lady Michelle Obama during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
The comment drew a mixed reaction from the crowd, with some attendees laughing while others appeared less amused.
Gillis, one of many celebrities who attended the spectacle, told reporters he “didn’t love it” when asked what he thought about Hokit’s remark.
“I didn’t like that sh–,” he reiterated.
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Comedian Shane Gillis attends the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Gillis later reacted to UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit’s joke about former first lady Michelle Obama. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Gillis has faced criticism over controversial jokes and past remarks throughout his career as a stand-up comedian.
He was fired from “Saturday Night Live” in 2019 before appearing as a new cast member in season 45, after clips surfaced of him using a slur aimed at Asian people on his podcast.
The comedian was fired from Saturday Night Live in 2019 before appearing in his debut as a new cast member in season 45 for making racist remarks — a viral clip showing him using a slur aimed at Asian people on his podcast. More clips continued to circulate of him making racist jokes and using offensive language online.
Gillis initially took to X to apologize for what he said on the podcast, but later deleted the tweet. He went on to build a successful career for himself in the comedy sphere, continuing to insert what can be viewed as racially insensitive jokes into his skits.
But despite his own history of controversial comedy, Gillis repeatedly said he didn’t like Hokit’s remark.
“Yeah I didn’t like that,” Gillis said. “But whatever, he was funny.”
Gillis was also asked by Digital for his opinion on President Donald Trump’s job performance in office as he was leaving the White House event put together by the administration on Trump’s 80th birthday.
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President Donald Trump watches at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)
“Nothing,” he said.
Gillis interrupted a follow-up question regarding cancel culture, an issue that continues to impact public figures’ careers, particularly comedians like Gillis who are often scrutinized for crossing lines in their comedic routines.
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“You guys got me on a couple brewskis,” Gillis told Digital in the middle of being asked about cancel culture.
The event marked the first UFC event ever hosted at the White House, and what will be the last in history, according to UFC President and CEO Dana White, referring to the event as a one-time spectacle.
