Trump celebrates 80th birthday with White House cage fight spectacle

US President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday on Sunday with an unprecedented spectacle on the White House South Lawn, hosting a major Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The event, dubbed “UFC Freedom 250,” featured 14 UFC fighters competing inside a specially constructed Octagon arena known as “The Claw.” The tournament coincided with Trump’s birthday, making it one of the most unusual presidential celebrations in modern US history.

The $60 million event drew criticism from opponents, who questioned the appropriateness of staging a high-profile combat sports show at the White House while the United States remains engaged in a conflict with Iran and Americans face rising costs of living. Trump, however, defended the event as a unique patriotic celebration.

“This is going to be an event you’re really going to like,” Trump said earlier this year while hosting several UFC fighters at the White House.

The UFC said it covered the full cost of the event. UFC chief content officer Craig Borsari rejected suggestions that the promotion was blending sports with politics, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate both the country and its athletes.

Adding to the pageantry, some fighters reportedly made their entrance from the Oval Office before proceeding to the South Lawn. The event also featured military bands, a flyover by US military aircraft, parachute demonstrations, historical presentations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, and a fireworks display.

Fighters participating in the event described it as a landmark moment for combat sports. UFC contender Michael Chandler called it the “biggest fight event in combat sports history,” while French heavyweight Ciryl Gane said the global exposure offered a unique opportunity for athletes.

A legal challenge seeking to block the event was dismissed by a federal judge on Friday, clearing the way for the tournament to proceed. Large crowds gathered in Washington, with giant screens set up on the National Mall for spectators.

The event also drew attention to Trump’s milestone birthday and ongoing discussions about his health and age. Trump, who became the oldest person ever inaugurated as US president, recently joked that he was “not happy” about turning 80, while insisting he remained active and fit.

Political analysts said the spectacle reflected Trump’s long-standing preference for large-scale public events and media-driven moments. “He’s treating the presidency the way he treats his previous career, a big flashy show,” Peter Loge, director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told AFP.

The birthday celebration followed another major event overseen by Trump earlier this year — a military parade in Washington commemorating the 250th anniversary of the US Army.