Updated

Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 15

Jemele Hill Blasts Rogan, White Over UFC Fighter's Michelle Obama Smear at Freedom 250

Updated

Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 15

Jemele Hill Blasts Rogan, White Over UFC Fighter's Michelle Obama Smear at Freedom 250

Q: After the White House controversy, will major UFC sponsors like Bud Light and Ram Trucks publicly respond?

There is no sign yet that major UFC sponsors such as Bud Light or Ram Trucks will publicly respond, and so far neither appears to have issued a statement. The available reporting shows that UFC CEO Dana White called Josh Hokit’s remarks “nonsense,” but criticism has centered on the UFC’s own response rather than on sponsor action. The added reporting specifically says there is no indication that Bud Light, Ram Trucks, or other major UFC partners have publicly addressed the incident. Bud Light’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch, reportedly did not respond to media requests for comment. That is the clearest evidence of sponsor silence so far. For Ram Trucks, the available material confirms it was tied to the event as a sponsor, but there is no reported public comment from the brand or from parent company Stellantis. Whether that changes will likely depend on pressure from consumers, advocacy groups, or business partners, and on whether the UFC takes further action. Sponsors often avoid immediate public intervention unless a controversy begins to threaten brand reputation in a sustained way. At this stage, the public record points to watchful silence rather than an imminent sponsor backlash. So the best evidence-based answer is that a public response from Bud Light or Ram Trucks is possible, but not currently evident, and there is no confirmed indication that either plans to speak out.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 15

Jemele Hill said Joe Rogan and Dana White failed to meaningfully confront Josh Hokit after the UFC heavyweight used a post-fight interview at Freedom 250 to spread a racist falsehood about Michelle Obama.
On her YouTube show Monday, Hill called White’s response “cowardly” and “weak-a**,” arguing his statement to Time labeling the remarks “nonsense” fell short because he did not apologize to Obama or viewers.
Hill also faulted Rogan for saying “absolutely nothing” during the interview and criticized reporters at White’s post-event press conference for not pressing him live about the incident.
The backlash widened a day after a UFC card meant to celebrate American history was overshadowed by Hokit's comments, renewing scrutiny of the promotion’s culture and how its partners handle inflammatory political rhetoric.