*Alexis Ohanian found himself defending his presence at a White House UFC event after fighter Josh Hokit repeated a debunked conspiracy theory about former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Following his victory at UFC Freedom 250, Hokit used his post-fight interview to declare, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” The remark immediately sparked backlash and reignited criticism of a long-running conspiracy theory that has falsely targeted Obama for years.
As the controversy spread across social media, attention soon turned to Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder, sports entrepreneur, and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, who had attended the event. The controversy wasn’t about something Ohanian said. It was about where he was.
A Familiar Attack on Black Women
The claim that Michelle Obama is secretly a man has circulated online for years despite repeated debunking and the complete absence of credible evidence supporting it.
Critics have long argued that the conspiracy theory reflects a broader pattern of attacks directed at prominent Black women. Those attacks often involve questioning femininity, appearance, intelligence or legitimacy in ways that echo historical stereotypes.
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For many observers, Hokit’s remark was not simply an insult aimed at a former First Lady. It was part of a much larger cultural pattern.
That is where Serena Williams entered the discussion.
Throughout her Hall of Fame tennis career, Williams has faced countless racist and sexist attacks questioning her femininity. Critics compared her to men, mocked her muscular physique and frequently suggested she was somehow less feminine because of her strength and athleticism.
Some compared her to animals. Others referred to Serena and her sister Venus as the “Williams brothers.” Over the years, Williams became one of the most visible examples of how Black women can be subjected to attacks that blend racism, sexism and body shaming.
Many critics saw a direct connection between the conspiracy theory aimed at Michelle Obama and the rhetoric that has followed Serena Williams for decades.
Why Ohanian Became Part of the Story
Because Ohanian is married to Williams and has publicly defended her throughout their relationship, some critics questioned why he attended an event where similar rhetoric resurfaced.
Social media users argued that the comments about Michelle Obama echoed the same stereotypes that have been used against Serena. As a result, some believed Ohanian should answer for his presence at the event.
The criticism was less about whether he agreed with Hokit’s comments and more about whether attending the event itself carried symbolic weight.
For critics, the issue was proximity.
For supporters, the issue was intent.
Ohanian Responds
As questions mounted online, Ohanian addressed the controversy directly on X.
“Lot of people asking me to comment: Yes, that fighter’s slur about former First Lady Michelle Obama was vile and inappropriate,” he wrote.
Ohanian also explained why he attended the event.
“I attended the UFC event via invitation from TKO/IMG leadership (I own 5 pro sports teams + a league),” he said.
According to Ohanian, he was no longer present when the remarks were made.
“I was already on my way home when those comments were made and was glad to see Dana condemn them.”
He also pointed to his history of opposing hate speech and extremist content online.
“For context: 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.”
A Larger Conversation
Ohanian’s response may satisfy some critics, but the broader conversation extends beyond one UFC event.
For many Black women, the controversy reopened longstanding frustrations about the ways prominent Black women are portrayed in public life.
Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Kamala Harris and others have all faced attacks that critics say are rooted in stereotypes about race, gender and power.
The names may change, but the themes often remain remarkably similar.
That is why Hokit’s comment generated such a strong reaction. To many observers, it was not simply a joke or an offhand remark. It echoed a familiar narrative that has followed successful Black women for generations.
Whether Ohanian’s explanation ends the criticism remains to be seen. What is clear is that a single comment at a UFC event quickly evolved into a broader conversation about race, misogyny, public responsibility and the treatment of Black women in American culture.
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MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Josh Hokit Paid for School, But Didn’t Buy Class After Calling Michelle Obama a Man | WATCH
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