UFC Cage Fight on the White House Lawn: Trump Celebrates His 80th Birthday with a Spectacle

Organizers cite the celebrations surrounding the 250th birthday of the United States, which falls on July 4, as the official occasion for the spectacle. Trump is linking the event to the festivities surrounding the 250th birthday of the United States. The president will turn 80 on his birthday.

Setting and Occasion: Independence Day and a Milestone Birthday

As early as Friday, initial fans had been making their way through Washington in UFC jerseys, including 18-year-old Jordan from the neighboring state of Virginia. He finds it "somewhat strange" that the fights are being held on the grounds of the White House. It is certainly not the best place for bloody fights. "But politics aside: I enjoy all the fights that take place, and I'm really looking forward to it."

A fan festival is also being held in the nearby Ellipse Park. It kicked off on Saturday. A fan festival in the nearby Ellipse Park is also expected to draw more than 120,000 visitors who are to watch the broadcast of the fight night.

The UFC is a combat sports league for mixed martial arts (MMA). They are staged by the UFC, a combat sports league for mixed martial arts (MMA). Techniques from various disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, kickboxing as well as karate and jiu-jitsu are used. Unlike, say, professional wrestling, the fights are not staged. Unlike in wrestling, the fights regularly result in bleeding, broken bones, and knockouts.

MMA in the USA and in Germany: A Shift in Image

In Germany, the events were considered a sleazy sport at the beginning of the millennium; the fights were even banned on television. Former Republican Senator John McCain had also once criticized the UFC as "human cockfighting."

The relationship between Trump and the UFC is close. UFC chief Dana White supported Trump on the campaign trail. Even during Trump's first presidential bid, the UFC chief gave him his backing. White introduced him to numerous influencers during the campaign, Trump recently told Time magazine. Podcaster Joe Rogan also campaigned for Trump's presidential bid after an interview with him.

However, the relationship has since cooled: Podcaster Joe Rogan has also been criticizing the president more pointedly in recent months, even calling his voters "morons." In addition to his podcast, Rogan also commentates on numerous UFC fights. He will be providing live commentary on the spectacle at the White House for the UFC.

Entanglement Between Trump and the UFC

Trump is also financially intertwined with the UFC. At the end of March, according to publicly accessible presidential transaction disclosures, Trump received shares in UFC parent company TKO worth up to $50,000. According to media reports, he bought shares in the UFC's parent company even before the fight at the White House.

The event raises questions. They accuse Trump of giving UFC boss White and his company access to the White House "in order to stage a private, for-profit sporting event – with all the advertising and branding opportunities that such access entails." Critics tried to prevent the event with a lawsuit, but were unsuccessful. The court, however, dismissed the lawsuit – on the grounds, among others, that the objections had been raised too late.

Criticism, Lawsuit and Security Measures

Sociologist Kyle Green, who researches sports culture at the State University in Brockport, places the event in context. "The UFC is a celebration of masculinity." He also says that among American sports, the UFC audience leans the furthest to the right. "This event is just the cherry on top," Green says of the relationship between Trump and the UFC. "Part of the history of men has often been that they wanted to regain their self-confidence," Green says of the appeal of combat sports.

The association is spending some $60 million on the spectacle. The UFC is broadcasting the fight exclusively on the paid streaming service Paramount+. Critics accuse the event of being used to acquire new subscribers for the streaming provider. Paramount is backed, among others, by the family of software billionaire Larry Ellison, who is known as a Trump supporter.

Streets in the surrounding area have been cordoned off over a wide area due to security precautions. This year too, the organizers of the "No Kings" protest movement are calling for events nationwide that are scheduled to take place at roughly the same time as the start of the fight spectacle. Those who reject the brawl event should instead take part in so-called watch parties and watch a concert in New York in private living rooms, community centers, or businesses, "while the president tries to distract the country with his UFC cage fight spectacle," as a statement put it.

Counter-Event in New York: Concert for the First Amendment

According to the organizer, the "Committee for the First Amendment," the concert in New York will take place in honor of the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees, among other things, the freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly. According to the organizers, performances by Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, Julia Roberts, Rufus Wainwright, and Patti Smith are planned.

A year ago, on Trump's 79th birthday, a large military parade featuring heavy tanks, paratroopers, and helicopters was held in Washington. At that time, millions of people took to the streets in "No Kings" protests against Trump's policies. According to a Yale University survey, around 70 percent of respondents under 30 were dissatisfied with his presidency.

Political Mood: Protests and Boos

Most recently, Trump was also booed at an NBA Finals game. US President Trump was booed at the third NBA Finals game in Madison Square Garden. When he appeared on the big screen during the national anthem, loud boos rang out through the arena.

On Trump's birthday exactly one year ago, millions of people in the US demonstrated against him. Sporting events involving the president have also caused controversy in the past. About the event at the White House, Trump recently said: "I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids" – alluding to the influence of the younger opinion makers White had connected him with.