President Donald Trump arrived alongside Dana White for the UFC fights on the White House’s South Lawn for America’s 250th birthday and his 80th.
Trump, donning a UFC pin, walked from the Oval Office, through the West Colonnade off of the Rose Garden Patio, through the lower level of the White House and onto the South Portico to Hail to the Chief. The Zac Brown Band performed the national anthem before a military flyover of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Trump then walked into the Octagon to take his seats near his family, including Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Barron Trump, and their spouses, including Trump Jr’s new wife, Bettina.
Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet secretaries, and top West Wing aides, including Stephen Miller, were spotted making their way to the pre-fight VIP reception before becoming part of the 4,300-person crowd gathered around the make-shift Octagon against the backdrop of the White House.
“Whether it’s under Friday night lights, on the court or in the octagon, competition reminds us of the qualities that keep America strong, like determination and perseverance, and the belief that anything is possible with hard work,” White House chief of staff Susie Wiles wrote on X. “Welcome to the biggest stage on earth, UFC. Job incredibly well done.”
The fights, headlined by Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria in the lightweight bout and Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight counterpart, have been organized by the UFC with the Freedom 250 group with a $60 million price tag amid concerns about the weather, bugs, and legal challenges.
“History hits different,” the UFC shared in a social media post.
The fights cap a weekend of programming around the capital, including the official face-offs and weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial, the Zac Brown Band performing on the Ellipse as part of a fan festival, and even Ja Rule performing at the Trump-aligned Executive Branch Club in Georgetown.
TRUMP, TURNING 80, CELEBRATES HIS AGE WITH BIG UFC BIRTHDAY BASH
But despite looking forward to seeing the fast fists and high kicks of the fighters, Trump, who hours before the fights announced a peace deal with Iran, expressed his reluctance this week about turning 80.
“You don’t have to wish me happy birthday because I’m not happy about that birthday that I’m having,” Trump told Dr. Mehmet Oz, his Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, in a video posted by Oz. “That’s a number that I never thought really too much about. It’s not a number I like, but I’m here, nevertheless.”
