D.L. Hughley calls White House UFC crowd ‘racists’ in social media tirade

Comedian D.L. Hughley took to social media this week to criticize attendees of the UFC Freedom 250 event held Sunday on the South Lawn of the White House, asserting in a series of Threads posts that racism underpinned the gathering and comparing the spectacle to ancient gladiatorial combat.

“Only 2 kinds of ppl went to the Whitehouse last night for that UFC event!! Racists and ppl who have no problem with racists,” Hughley wrote Monday, according to posts reported by Breitbart News. In a follow-up, the comedian added: “America hates black ppl waaaay more than it hates pedophiles! Fight Me!”

Mr. Hughley, best known for his roles in “The Hughleys” and “Brothers,” also shared a meme depicting Rome’s Colosseum with the caption, “Nothing says ’Not a dying civilization’ like gladiator fights at the capitol for the emperor’s amusement.”

He continued his online commentary with additional posts questioning whether those around him were complicit in racism.

The comedian returned to social media the following day to highlight coverage of the backlash facing comedian Nate Bargatze, who was spotted at the event alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and actress Cheryl Hines. A representative for Mr. Bargatze told multiple outlets that he “is not political nor is anything he produces” and described him as a longtime UFC fan who attended to support his new film and watch a sport he loves. Mr. Bargatze has not publicly addressed the controversy on his own social media accounts.

UFC Freedom 250 took place Sunday on the White House South Lawn, headlined by Justin Gaethje’s upset victory over Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship. President Trump watched from cageside throughout the evening alongside UFC CEO Dana White, with more than 4,000 attendees, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Cabinet members Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth.