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Joe Rogan Stunned By JD Vance’s Opinion on Josh Hokit’s Michelle Obama Comments

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UFC Freedom 250 was supposed to be history-making, a celebration of the sport and an awe-inspiring spectacle, the first of its kind.

It was a sprawling event on the lawns of the White House to celebrate President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence designed to mollify the American public’s growing frustrations.

It made history as the only UFC event to have all fights ending by knockout and tied the UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Bisping and UFC on ESPN: Santos vs Hill events for having all fights end by finish at a modern-era UFC event.

The event was laden with legal challenges before it began, with Public Integrity Project, an anti-corruption watchdog group, filing an emergency lawsuit to block the event from taking place, describing it as a ‘deeply corrupt, private, for-profit sports event.’

There were two title fights as part of the event, with Justin Gaethje beating Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship and Ciryl Gane defeating Alex Pereira for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.

But it was the moment after Josh Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis that caused a true frenzy, with Hokit using his victory speech to insult the former first lady, Michelle Obama.

Josh Hokit insults Michelle Obama Credit: Paramount+

In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Hokit declared: “Michelle Obama is a man.”

The slur has generated an outcry of disgust and horror, though, it has not been condemned by the White House or by Rogan. However, the podcaster has had to explain to the US vice president, JD Vance, why the comment has elicited so much anger.

Appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance appeared to make light of the incident and laugh it off.

Recalling a moment from the cage fight, Vance said: “I just could not believe that dude held out for like 30 seconds.”

Rogan then brought up Hokit’s speech and asked: “Was that more shocking than when he said Michelle Obama is a man?”

Vance joked, laughing: “Definitely the armbar part. I work in politics. People say crazy stuff all the time.”

He continued: “People lost their minds about it. Lost their minds about it to the point where I had The View either the next day or the day after to sort of promote this book, all of my comms people, the thing they were most worried about was, ‘They’re going to ask about Michelle Obama being called a man. What are you going to say about it?’ And I was like, what? An amped-up fighter told a joke after a fight.”

Vance argued the reaction to the insult was ‘totally disproportionate.’

CNN reported that Trump could be ‘seen smiling briefly’ as the comment was made, while Rogan, serving as the UFC Freedom 250’s master of ceremonies, made no other comment than, ‘ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit’ as the interview was concluded.

Joe Rogan

Rogan has since argued that the White House should’ve been aware of what they were getting into by inviting Hokit, but has not committed to condemning the comment, but he clearly understood why people have taken offence. Vance remained committedly oblivious, insisting he was ‘still shocked’ that people were ‘really fired up about it.’

During the podcast episode, Rogan said: “Well, I kind of understand it because it’s at the White House. First of all, a cage fight at the White House is crazy already. I mean if he said, ‘Michelle Obama’s a man’ at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas, it’s like, OK.”

Vance stuck to his original view and said: “Fair, but dude, people say stuff all the time. I work in a business where, obviously, people make life-and-death decisions all the time. And I’m always a little bit caught off guard by the culture that just overreacts.

“The worst you could say is, ‘Oh, that was an offensive comment,’ and then you get on with the rest of your life. That’s the worst that you could say. The people who really flip out about it and kind of lose their minds, I just don’t understand that.”

Josh Hokit at UFC White House Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

The President of the UFC, Dana White, told Time that he is ‘completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families’, but no sanction has been levelled at Hokit, so his comments have gone unpunished.

While the event drew high viewership figures, polls conducted by Reuters and Ipsos found that only 16% of Americans and a third of Republicans approved of holding the event on the White House lawn. These findings, alongside Hokit’s comments and the growing dissatisfaction rife in the United States, highlight Trump’s failure to appease his critics as his popularity further wanes. It seems clear there will be further attempts like this, but it remains to be seen whether they will be successful.

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Newcastle Table Bid to Sign Tottenham Star Lucas Bergvall

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Newcastle United have tabled a mega-money bid to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Bergvall, according to David Ornstein.

The Magpies are looking to rebuild their squad after a disappointing campaign in 2025/26 which saw them finish in the bottom half of the Premier League and fail to qualify for Europe. That has seen them forced to sell Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, earning £170m combined from Tottenham and Barcelona respectively.

Now the club are pushing to bring in replacements to ensure they can remain competitive, having already brought in Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, and Seun Steur during the summer transfer window, and the club have made a major bid for a top target.

Newcastle Table Bid for Bergvall

Lucas Bergvall in action for Tottenham Hotspur

Bergvall, who has been described as ‘unstoppable’, has emerged as a major target for the Magpies, and according to The Athletic, they have tabled a £46m bid.

The Sweden international has made it clear that he wants to leave Spurs this summer as he goes in search of more regular first-team football and a new challenge. Nottingham Forest have seen a bid rejected, with Spurs previously stating that they don’t want to sell the 20-year-old.

However, it’s believed that their recent acquisitions in the transfer market means that they may now be more open to a sale for the right price.

Newcastle’s bid was immediately rejected, with Spurs also having turned down bids worth more in this window, but the Magpies continue to be interested and are considering making a new offer.

The Toon are keen to replace Tonali in their midfield, but are also very alert to the fact that their captain Bruno Guimaraes has told the club he wants to leave in order to pursue a move to Arsenal, who are understood to be preparing a £65m offer for the Brazilian.

Newcastle don’t want to sell the Brazil international, but may be forced to if they receive a major offer, and they are now looking to pre-empt any exit by bringing in reinforcements of their own.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Newcastle Must Move Quickly

Lucas Bergvall in action for Tottenham Hotspur

Bergvall is widely considered to be one of the top young midfielders in the Premier League following his performances in recent years, and that’s the type of signing that Eddie Howe and Newcastle have prioritised previously.

He has all the talent in the world to come into a Premier League midfield a be a regular starter if there isn’t a place for him at Spurs, and Newcastle could be the perfect landing spot.

However, with so much competition for his signature, and the fact that the club have really struggled to get deals over the line in recent windows, they will have to be efficient and quick if they want to get this one done.

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Liverpool Should Smash British Transfer Record With £128m Move

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Liverpool remain in the market for a Mohamed Salah replacement, and while they continue to be linked with a host of names, there is only one man they really ought to be pushing to sign.

Salah said goodbye to the Anfield faithful back in May, ending his nine-year love affair with the Merseyside club. The Egyptian scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League in this time.

Leaving as one of the greatest-ever players to wear a Liverpool shirt, it’s imperative to the club’s new iteration under Andoni Iraola that they source a similarly productive wide forward.

Whether they operate predominantly on the right or left is not necessarily important, but the north-west outfit must replace Salah’s relentless output. Yan Diomande has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but looks to be set for a move to Paris Saint-Germain instead. The likes of Bradley Barcola, Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala and Rayan have also been linked.

And it is the Frenchman whom Liverpool should be the one the recruitment department go after and if PSG snare Diomande they may have the perfect opportunity to do so.

Liverpool should go all out for Bradley Barcola

Bradley Barcola PSG

There is a shortage of top-class wingers on the market at the moment, and that leaves Liverpool with a tough decision to make regarding their Salah replacement pursuit.

The majority of the names being linked with a move to Anfield are highly-rated youngsters with great potential, rather than established stars who are ready to come straight in and make an impact.

After Diomande made his desire to join Paris Saint-Germain clear, it was suggested that Liverpool will turn their attention to Bradley Barcola. Developments on this front have since gone quiet, but the Reds should prioritise the signing of the Frenchman and accelerate their move for him before another club does.

Arsenal have been mooted as potential suitors for Barcola, so Liverpool must step up their interest before the Premier League champions convince the 23-year-old to move to North London.

While Barcola still has rough edges, he’s the most polished winger available on the market. If PSG secure the signing of Diomande, the former Lyon man will be left surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes, surely making him available for Liverpool to swoop in.

Boasting frightening pace, effective dribbling skills and a consistent goal threat, Barcola has the potential to explode in a settled team where he is the primary attacker. In the 2024/25 season, the France international scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions, showcasing his attacking quality and ability to produce consistently in the final third – exactly what Liverpool require in their post-Salah era.

While predominantly a left winger, Barcola can be deployed off the right, meaning he can fill the Egypt international’s old role or directly replace Cody Gakpo – who has been linked with Tottenham.

Ultimately, it’s a no-brainer. Liverpool can sign a player who needs work and development, like an El Mala or a Rayan, and take a significant hit in terms of output in the short-term.

Or, they can sign Barcola, described by football analyst Ben Mattinson as ‘elite‘, and improve immediately on what Salah was able to offer last season.

Liverpool need to be prepared to break the bank for Barcola

Bradley Barcola via Reuters

The concern is that PSG will demand a king’s ransom for Barcola. The French juggernauts spent around £38 million on him back in 2023, and will understandably want to see a significant return on this investment after years of developing the player.

Some reports suggest it may take upwards of £128million to sign Barcola. While this is steep, he is the most complete winger available on the market, and that is the price a player of that calibre is currently going for.

Tottenham just spent £100million on Sandro Tonali, while Manchester City splashed £116million on Elliot Anderson. Prices have never been more inflated, and the cost of signing a match-winning winger is greater than an accomplished central midfielder.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

While Liverpool will need to be cautious that the price for Barcola doesn’t become too insane, in excess of £120 million is reasonable given the context of the market.

Additionally, if Diomande swaps Leipzig for Paris, then the Reds should have some leverage in negotiations. Luis Enrique would have a surplus of wingers, likely leaving Barcola agitating for a move.

If he wants to leave and PSG are aware that they probably need to sell, then that should drive the price down at least somewhat for the Merseyside outfit.

Ultimately, however, they should pay up for one of Europe’s most talented forwards.

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British MP Urges FIFA to Replay England vs Argentina

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A British MP has called on FIFA to replay the 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

Argentina secured their place in a second successive World Cup final with a 2-1 win over Thomas Tuchel’s England at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.

England took the lead early in the second half through Anthony Gordon but eventually paid the price for going overly defensive in the final 30 minutes. US President Donald Trump has even joined in with the criticism of Tuchel’s eyebrow-raising tactics.

The Three Lions registered a measly 12% possession between Gordon’s goal and Enzo Fernandez’s 85th-minute equaliser.

Argentina then landed the killer blow seven minutes later when Man of the Match Lionel Messi crossed for Lautaro Martinez to head home the winner.

Calls For England vs Argentina to be Replayed

Argentina's Lionel Messi and England's Jude Bellingham during 2026 World Cup semi-final

There’s been some debate over whether Argentina’s winning goal should have been allowed to stand following a potential foul by Messi on Djed Spence. The incident was not recommended for review by VAR.

It’s one of various incidents that’s included in a five-minute video that’s gone viral on X (Twitter). “This is a worldwide scandal,” the caption reads. Watch it below:

As the video spreads, several notable figures have added their thoughts.

Oliver Ryan, a British Labour Party politician who serves as a Member of Parliament for Burnley, tweeted:

“If FIFA had any sense of decency and sportsmanship, we’d get a replay with a different referee.”

MP calls for England vs Argentina replay

Former Tottenham chairman Lord Alan Sugar added in a separate tweet: “Is there a chance if FIFA watched this they would disqualify Argentina for cheating or have a replay with another referee?”

Lord Sugar tweet

Not everybody was content about the decision to appoint Major League Soccer referee Ismail Elfath for such a big fixture in the first place.

The American match official showed four yellow cards (three to Argentina and one to England) but many fans have accused him of being overly lenient towards the South Americans, particularly during the opening exchanges when Lionel Scaloni’s side attempted to ruffle English feathers.

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Argentina Aim For Glory; England Target Third Place

Lionel Messi Brett Davis / IMAGN Images via Reuters

However, there’s virtually zero chance at this point of FIFA taking any action against Argentina. The fixture will certainly not be replayed, despite calls from disgruntled England supporters.

Argentina can become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup if they defeat Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

England, meanwhile, face France in the third-fourth place play-off at the Miami Stadium on Saturday night.

A third-place finish would be England’s second-best finish at a World Cup, only bettered by their 1966 triumph.

The Three Lions also reached the semi-finals in 1990 and 2018 but lost the third-place play-offs, to Italy and Belgium respectively, on both occasions.

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