Trump accused of falling asleep at UFC cage fight birthday celebrations

PoliticsSports
15 Jun 2026 • 7:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Trump accused of falling asleep at UFC cage fight birthday celebrations

Donald Trump has been accused of dozing off during the UFC cage fight hosted at the White House to mark his 80th birthday.

Cameras at the event appeared to show the president leant over with his eyes shut while sat next to UFC president Dana White during the UFC Freedom 250 main event between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

Opinion on social media was divided, with some accusing Trump of being caught sleeping, days after a similar incident at an the NBA finals game, while others claimed he may have been watching a broadcast of the fight on ringside monitors.

The White House last week brushed off concerns raised last week over the president being seen with his eyes closed for an extended period of time during a number of public engagements.