Bud Light has remained silent following a transphobic comment made by mixed martial artist Josh Hokit during a sponsored appearance at the White House on Sunday. Hokit, who won the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn—a spectacle held on President Donald Trump's birthday—used his post-fight interview with host Joe Rogan to say, "Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?" This was not the first time Hokit made such a remark about the former first lady. The 28-year-old fighter also previously expressed a wish to have his own mother deported, citing her Mexican heritage.
Anheuser-Busch's Silence
Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, did not respond to requests for comment from HuffPost on Monday. This silence comes despite the company's previous experience with controversy over LGBTQ+ partnerships.
Previous Backlash Over Dylan Mulvaney Partnership
In 2023, Bud Light faced a conservative backlash after partnering with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The brand created a custom can featuring Mulvaney's photo, and she promoted the beer during March Madness to her nearly 11 million followers. Conservatives called for a boycott, claiming the partnership was too political. MAGA-aligned singer Kid Rock filmed himself shooting at cans of Bud Light. The backlash was so intense that top marketing executives took leaves of absence, and Anheuser-Busch facilities received bomb threats.
At the time, Anheuser-Busch neither explicitly supported Mulvaney nor disavowed the partnership. CEO Brendan Whitworth stated, "We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer."
White House and UFC Response
The White House has not addressed Hokit's comment, but UFC CEO Dana White spoke out against it. "I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I'm completely against saying nasty and false things about people's families," White told Time magazine. "Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense."
