Instead of a banquet — a mixed martial arts tournament. How Trump celebrated his 80th birthday
US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday on June 14 in a way unusual for American leaders — instead of a traditional reception or a formal banquet, a mixed martial arts tournament, UFC Freedom 250, took place on the White House grounds.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the UFC Freedom 250 tournament on the South Lawn of the White House. Washington. Photo: Evan Vucci / Pool Photo via AP
The celebration began with a symbolic entrance of Donald Trump and UFC head Dana White from the Oval Office to the balcony of the Blue Room of the White House. The audience greeted them with chants of "USA! USA!". After that, the UFC Freedom 250 tournament began, timed to coincide with both the American president's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence.
Donald Trump and UFC head Dana White on the balcony of the Blue Room of the White House before the start of the UFC Freedom 250 tournament. Washington, June 14, 2026. Photo: AP Photo / Julia Demaree Nikhinson
On the South Lawn of the White House, a temporary arena with an octagonal ring — an octagon — was erected for the occasion.
The UFC Freedom 250 tournament arena on the South Lawn of the White House. Washington. Photo: AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin, Pool
One of the most unusual details of the event was the fighters' entrance: before the main bouts, they walked through the White House building and then proceeded to the octagon.
UFC fighter Michael Chandler waits in the Grand Foyer of the White House before his lightweight bout against Brazilian Mauricio Ruffi. June 14, 2026. Photo: Saul Loeb / Pool Photo via AP
According to the organizers, more than four thousand guests attended the event. Among them were Trump's family members, business representatives, politicians, and celebrities. The show was organized by UFC head Dana White, a long-time ally and personal acquaintance of Trump.
The evening's atmosphere was filled with patriotic symbolism. The Marine Corps Orchestra performed musical themes for the fighters' entrances, and country singer Zac Brown performed the US national anthem. The ceremony was accompanied by a demonstration flyover of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds acrobatic teams.
Blue Angels and Thunderbirds acrobatic teams' planes flying over the White House. Washington, June 14, 2026. Photo: Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool
The central event of the evening was the UFC tournament with a series of professional bouts. The program opened with a fight between Brazilian Diego Lopes and American Steve Garcia. Despite an unsuccessful start, Lopes knocked out his opponent in the second round and secured one of the evening's most spectacular victories.
Diego Lopes stands on the octagon fence during his featherweight bout against Steve Garcia. Photo: AP Photo / Alex Brandon
The main event was a championship fight between American Justin Gaethje and Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria, which Gaethje won.
Justin Gaethje does a backflip after his victory over Ilia Topuria. Photo: Saul Loeb / Pool Photo via AP
In the heavyweight bout, Frenchman Ciryl Gane defeated Brazilian Alex Pereira.
Brazilian Alex Pereira (right) and Frenchman Ciryl Gane during their bout. Photo: AP Photo / Alex Brandon
Trump watched the fights directly next to the octagon along with Dana White, his family members, and other guests. As the Associated Press writes, he closely followed the matches, applauded successful moments, and occasionally discussed the events with the UFC head. After the third fight, the audience sang "Happy Birthday" to the president.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the tournament. Photo: AP Photo / Mark Schiefelbein
According to CNN information, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg was spotted among the guests, who has been actively involved in martial arts in recent years and regularly attends UFC tournaments. Also present at the event was David Ellison, CEO of media company Paramount Skydance. For the wealthiest attendees, special VIP packages costing up to $1.5 million were offered, which included access to the tournament and a series of exclusive events.
Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg (left) talks with Donald Trump during the tournament. Washington, June 14, 2026. Photo: AP Photo / Mark Schiefelbein
The celebration sparked a mixed reaction. The Guardian notes that protests took place near the White House on the eve of the event. Critics argued that hosting a commercial sporting show on the grounds of the presidential residence seemed inappropriate and raised questions about the use of state property.
Protesters before the start of the UFC Freedom 250 tournament. Photo: AP Photo / Rod Lamkey, Jr.
Organizers and the White House dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the tournament was dedicated not only to Trump's birthday but also to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States' independence.
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, UFC head Dana White, and other guests in the octagon after the conclusion of the UFC Freedom 250 tournament on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo: Evan Vucci / Pool Photo via AP
According to the US National Park Service, which manages the South Lawn area, more than $60 million was spent on building the temporary arena. UFC stated that it covered these costs. Organization head Dana White later admitted that the scale of the project, its cost, and the complexities of organization made the show virtually unique. «This will never happen again. I can't afford it,» he said after the tournament.
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Ну а пра ўзровень заяў што прамаўляліся “героямі”… помнік нярукатворны