Serena Fans Are Dragging Her Husband for Attending That White House UFC Gathering

Tech entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian found himself at the center of an online debate this week after making an appearance at President Donald Trump’s White House UFC event. Now, Black folks have the smoke for him, especially those who are fans of his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams.

Ohanian was photographed attending UFC Freedom 250, Trump’s mixed martial arts event held at the White House on Sunday. The controversial event was tied to Trump’s 80th birthday on June 14 and the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary commemorations. But while the event attracted a mix of political figures, athletes, entertainers and technology executives, many people took special issue with Ohanian.

“Serena William’s husband was at the racist Whitehouse UFC bulls**t. Listened to them say that foul shit about Michelle Obama and went home to his black family,” one X user, @LosFreaklander said. “Not shocked at all.”

It’s during the televised event that UFC fighter Josh Hokit called former First Lady Michelle Obama “a man,” a derogatory dig which has been repeatedly used to insult Obama.

Although Ohanian has not commented on Hokit’s remarks, many folks on X turned back on the tech giant– a white man with a Black wife and biracial children.

“He sat there absorbing all those charming comments about Michelle Obama like a sponge, then returned home to his black wife and child without so much as a peep,” @IVNNetwork tweeted, adding. “The cognitive dissonance must be exhausting; maintaining that ‘woke tech bro’ persona while simultaneously funding and fraternizing with people who think his family is subhuman.”

Images and video showing Ohanian near Trump-affiliated guests quickly circulated on social media, prompting some users to question his presence at the event and speculate about his political views. Others defended Ohanian, arguing that attendance at a public event does not necessarily indicate political support.

User @BravoKiloActual wrote, “What’s he supposed to do just wander the street or something?”

Still, Black folks took Ohanian through the wringer. “And this is why I can’t marry outside my race. No matter how invited to the cookout they seem, there’s still some bulls**t,” @NicoleShanique said.

The reaction spilled over to Williams, with some social media users directing criticism toward the 23-time Grand Slam champion despite her not attending the event publicly.

“Major side eye to him and Serena too,” @JUiCEY_K0UTURE said.

Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit and now leads venture capital firm 776, has previously spoken publicly on issues including technology policy, social justice and family life. He and Williams have been married since 2017 and share two daughters.

Neither Ohanian nor Williams publicly addressed the online criticism as of Tuesday.