Fox News' Greg Gutfeld is offering an eyebrow-raising defense of UFC fighter Josh Hokit, who hurled a transphobic insult at former first lady Michelle Obama over the weekend. On Monday's episode of Fox's "The Five," Gutfeld argued that Democrats angered by Hokit referring to Obama as "a man" had no "credibility" after having "kept silent" on Maine Senate Democratic nominee Graham Platner, who has stoked controversy for a nearly 20-year-old tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, as well as insults directed at first lady Melania Trump.
Gutfeld's Defense
"How about Platner?" Gutfeld said, as co-host Jessica Tarlov gave a forceful condemnation of Hokit's remarks. A moment later, he added, "Hell, I seem to remember, not too long ago, how often I heard that Melania Trump was an escort — and from a lot of people who are now 'oh, oh, oh!' huffing and huffing."
True to form, Gutfeld didn't stop there, arguing that those on the left have been publicly "hoping for another Luigi Mangione to take out Elon Musk or perhaps [President Donald] Trump or maybe both."
"See, we don't have to listen ― in fact, we enjoy it when you're upset," he said, before deeming Hokit "a troll" who should not be taken seriously: "We get it. Not our fault if you don't."
Hokit's Controversial Remarks
Hokit made the remark about Obama on Sunday after winning his fight at the UFC Freedom 250 event, which took place on the White House South Lawn as part of Trump's 80th birthday festivities. Though Trump has yet to address the controversy publicly, UFC CEO Dana White described Hokit's words as "nasty and false," telling Time, "Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense."
Others, like former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, have seemingly sided with Hokit. "It was probably the most unexpected and unintentionally hilarious moment of the night," he told TMZ on Monday.
Hokit, who has described himself as "100% transphobic," has publicly accused Obama of being a man on more than one occasion and has targeted other women of color, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, with similar insults.
