UFC fighter Josh Hokit has become the subject of a circulating rumor claiming he apologized to former First Lady Michelle Obama for his controversial post-fight remarks. The rumor, which spread on social media, alleged a formal apology, a significant donation to the Obama Foundation, and a commitment to advocate for Black women in America.
The controversy began at a UFC event held on the White House lawn, where Hokit made the statement, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” This comment quickly ignited backlash.
The alleged apology originated from an X user who posted a “Breaking” update, including a supposed screenshot of a message from Hokit. This message claimed Hokit had spoken with Mrs. Obama to express remorse for his “distasteful comments” and pledged $50,000 of his winnings to the Obama Foundation, additionally stating he would become an “active spokesman for Black women in America.” The post also featured an image purportedly showing Hokit shaking hands with Obama.
However, a Community Note on the viral X post refutes this claim, stating, “No such apology appears on Josh Hokit’s X account. The account sharing the image states in its bio that it posts satire.” The bio of the account in question explicitly identifies its content as satire and dark humor.
Further examination reveals that Hokit himself has not posted any apology on his verified X account. Instead, his posts have addressed the criticism, arguing that a double standard exists in public commentary regarding figures like Melania Trump and Charlie Kirk. Searches for any evidence of the alleged apology, donation, or advocacy pledge have yielded no credible results.
The image accompanying the rumor appears to be digitally altered, combining a fabricated social media post with a photoshopped handshake. Media coverage surrounding Hokit’s original statement has focused on the remark itself and the subsequent criticism, including remarks from UFC CEO Dana White, rather than any form of apology.
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