SouthernWorldwide.com – Comedian Shane Gillis expressed his disapproval of a crude remark made by UFC fighter Josh Hokit about former First Lady Michelle Obama following Hokit’s victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House.
Hokit directed the comment towards Michelle Obama during his post-fight interview in the Octagon with UFC commentator Joe Rogan. He asserted, without providing any evidence, that Michelle Obama is a man.
“Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” Hokit stated to the audience, concluding his interview.
The crowd’s reaction to Hokit’s statement was varied, with some attendees responding with laughter while others appeared less pleased.
Shane Gillis, who was among the many notable figures present at the event, shared his thoughts with reporters when questioned about Hokit’s remark. He stated that he “didn’t love it.”
“I didn’t like that sh–,” Gillis reiterated, emphasizing his sentiment.
Gillis himself has encountered criticism throughout his stand-up comedy career due to controversial jokes and past statements he has made.
He was dismissed from “Saturday Night Live” in 2019, prior to his scheduled debut as a new cast member for season 45. This decision followed the emergence of clips from his podcast that contained a slur targeting Asian individuals.
The comedian’s tenure on “Saturday Night Live” was cut short in 2019 before he could even begin as a new cast member for season 45. The dismissal stemmed from racist remarks, specifically a viral clip capturing him using a slur against Asian people on his podcast. Further instances of his racist jokes and offensive language online continued to surface.
Initially, Gillis took to X to issue an apology for his podcast remarks, but he subsequently deleted the tweet. He has since built a successful career in comedy, often incorporating material that has been perceived as racially insensitive into his routines.
Despite his personal history with controversial comedy, Gillis consistently maintained that he did not approve of Hokit’s statement.
“Yeah I didn’t like that,” Gillis commented. “But whatever, he was funny.”
He then interjected during a follow-up question that touched upon the subject of cancel culture. This cultural phenomenon continues to significantly impact the careers of public figures, particularly comedians like Gillis, who are frequently scrutinized for pushing boundaries in their comedic performances.
This event marked a significant milestone, being the very first UFC event to be hosted at the White House. UFC President and CEO Dana White has indicated that it will also be the last, describing the event as a unique, one-time spectacle.
