Vice President JD Vance said in a podcast episode that aired Wednesday that the backlash to a UFC fighter’s false and offensive remark about former first lady Michelle Obama was “totally disproportionate” to the comment itself.
Speaking on “The Joe Rogan Experience” in an episode that taped Tuesday, Vance recalled attending his first live UFC event last month and was marveling at the submission holds. Rogan asked if Vance was more surprised by the so-called armbars or by fighter Josh Hokit referring to the former first lady as a man during his victory remarks at the White House.
“Definitely the armbar part,” Vance responded. “I work in politics. People say crazy stuff all the time, man.”
Rogan pushed back on the vice president, noting the context was different for an event hosted at the White House. He added that Hokit makes similar remarks as part of a persona he has cultivated.
“He’s a very good fighter, first of all, but sometimes it’s not enough to get attention,” Rogan said. “What Josh has done is created this persona, like this pro wrestling bad-guy persona.”
