On the 14th (local time), the birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump, a participant in a UFC mixed martial arts event held at the White House came under fire for making a remark that insulted Michelle Obama, the wife of former President Barack Obama.

According to the AP and other outlets, UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit, after defeating Derek Lewis that day, suddenly shouted in an interview in the arena, “Michelle Obama is a man. Is that not so, America?” He knocked Lewis out in the second round at the ‘UFC Freedom 250’ event held that day. When the host then asked for his thoughts, he expressed thanks to President Trump for holding the event and then mentioned Mrs. Obama.

In the MAGA (MAGA·Make America Great Again) camp, a conspiracy theory that ‘Mrs. Michelle is a man’ has circulated for years. The remark by Hokit is seen as an attempt to insult the Obama couple by bringing up a baseless conspiracy theory in public.

According to the Washington Post (WP), regarding the absurd remark by Hokit, UFC Chief Executive Officer Dana White said, “Everyone knows where I stand on ‘freedom of speech,’ but I dislike this nonsense.”

However, White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung told the WP, “Hokit showed toughness and an ability to pressure his opponent,” without stating a position on his problematic remark. CNN reported that President Trump was smiling when Hokit insulted Mrs. Obama.