Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy on Monday called on President Donald Trump to condemn a UFC fighter's false insult against former first lady Michelle Obama.
The vocal Trump supporter said he found the comments from Josh Hokit on Sunday night at the White House lawn inappropriate.
"There was one moment I do think Trump has to denounce and anybody associated with it has to denounce and that's that crazy fighter guy — I don't even have his name up here — but he won the fight. He took the microphone and he made a derogatory comment about Michelle Obama," Portnoy said.
In an interview with Joe Rogan, Hokit said, "Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?” The crowd had a mixed reaction, booing and cheering, while Trump appeared to have a smirk on his face.
"These are UFC guys. They're crazy. They're idiots," he said. "I don't care what you think about the Obamas, or anything, that has to be an immediate denounce. 'Wrong, doesn't speak for me.' I have no problem with the event. I guess you run that risk because these guys are lunatics," Portnoy said.
"I think you're crying over spilled milk if you are upset about the actual event, but that comment, if you're going to do it, own it and be like 'that was wrong and never should happen,'" he added.
Portnoy wasn't the only person to respond to the remark.
Right-leaning comedian Shane Gillis told TMZ he didn't agree with what Hokit said during the Freedom 250 UFC event.
"I didn't love that," Gillis said.
Dave Portnoy calls on Trump to denounce the UFC fighter who called Michelle Obama a man at the White House fight:
"That has to be an immediate denounce. ... These guys are lunatics." pic.twitter.com/sBHW64VHG5
— FactPost (@factpostnews) June 15, 2026