President Donald Trump’s White House UFC event drew cheers, backlash, and a new political firestorm after one fighter made an offensive remark about former first lady Michelle Obama. The White House has praised the fight night but has not publicly condemned the comment.

The controversy followed UFC Freedom 250, a one-off card staged on the South Lawn as part of Trump’s broader effort to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary and showcase his political brand. During a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, heavyweight Josh Hokit said, “Michelle Obama is a man,” drawing immediate criticism online and from some conservative voices.

“For a long time – and the roots are in slavery – Black women have been slurred and made to feel that they were unattractive, made to feel that they were masculine, made to feel that they didn’t have the femininity that a white woman would have,” said “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin, on Monday’s show. 

“There is this intersectionality between racism and sexism that was on full display at the White House. The crowd laughed at the statement, and the president of the United States smirked and never addressed what was said. That is beneath the dignity of the office of the president of the United States, and it’s beneath the dignity of the American people.”

The White House has not responded to questions about the remark, even as it highlighted the fighter’s victory. UFC president Dana White later told Time he condemned the remark. 

“I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White said to Time. Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.” White also said the event would not return to the White House, calling it a singular event.

The event was held in a specially built arena on the South Lawn and featured an invited audience rather than a public ticket sale. Though the live sports celebration quickly turned into a culture-war argument and the White House’s lack of response has swiftly caused backlash on both sides of the political divide.

“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 wrote online. “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.”