A crowd at Donald Trump’s White House-hosted UFC fight sang Happy Birthday to the president as part of his ongoing “Freedom 250” celebrations.
Trump, whose 80th birthday was June 14, sat in the crowd of 4,300 people including family members such as Barron Trump, and fans such as boxer Tyson Fury, when the crowd appeared to burst into a spontaneous version of the song while fighters in the ring prepared for their next bout. He is now the second president to turn 80 years old in office, after Joe Biden.
The White House is celebrating the U.S.’s 250th anniversary in mid-June, despite the U.S. declaring independence from the U.K. on July 4. And is celebrating the U.S.’ legacy through a UFC fight being conducted on the White House lawn, the first sporting event to be thrown at the White House.
The president has referred to the fight as "the greatest show on Earth.”
This is not the first time that the UFC has played a role in the Trump administration, as it is owned by the same holding group, TKO Group Holdings as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). President Trump’s Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon co-founded WWE with her estranged husband, Vince McMahon.
Trump has past business dealings with Vince McMahon, having appeared to buy Monday Night RAW from him in 2009 as part of a WWE storyline.
The fight was broadcast exclusively on Paramount+, a company owned by vocal trump supporter Larry Ellison. Ellison bid for the contract to take over CNN.
The fight occurred at the same time as the US officials were working on a peace deal with Iran. Trump announced on Truth Social: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
He posted repeatedly across the weekend, including an AI image of him walking alongside Kim Jong Un, and a congratulatory message to the New York Knicks for winning the NBA championship. The only championship game that the Knicks lost was the game played with the president in the stands.
