Here's What Trump's Strange Fight Night At The White House Looked Like From The Inside
President Donald Trump turned 80 on Sunday at a White House transformed not just by the demolition of the East Wing to make way for his ballroom, but also by the construction of a UFC octagon and seating just for the occasion.
The venue was intended to be temporary, but earlier this month, Trump compared it to the Eiffel Tower, calling the White House Octagon “quite attractive” and saying, “Maybe we’ll never, ever take it down.”
The event, which was delayed due to weather, began with a military flyover as Trump and his friend, UFC CEO Dana White, looked on:
UFC CEO Dana White and President Donald Trump watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a flyover at the White House ahead of the UFC fights. Saul Loeb/AFP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a flyover during the national anthem at "UFC Freedom 250" on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday. Al Drago/Getty Images
Then, the pair walked from the Oval Office to the venue in a moment broadcast during the live event and streaming online.
The cheers for the president by his hand-picked audience were a marked difference from the boos he received when he attended the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden last week.
Lightweight Mauricio Ruffy celebrated his victory over Michael Chandler by proposing to his girlfriend, Nadine:
Mauricio Ruffy proposed to his girlfriend Nadine after winning his fight against Michael Chandler at "UFC Freedom 250" on Sunday. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Ruffy's girlfriend Nadine after he proposed to her. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Here are more moments from the unusual evening at the White House:
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg greets President Trump and first lady Melania Trump during the "UFC Freedom 250" fights. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A screen shows President Trump walking with UFC CEO Dana White during the "UFC Freedom 250" event. Evan Vucci / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
UFC CEO Dana White and British boxer Tyson Fury speak with President Trump during the "UFC Freedom 250" event. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Fans react as they watch the featherweight bout between Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia on the big screen at the "UFC Freedom 250" Fan Fest in Washington, D.C. Tom Brenner/Getty Images
President Trump shakes hands with Bo Nickal at the middleweight fight during the "UFC Freedom 250" event. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Fans had to deal with high temperatures during the Fan Fest on the White House Ellipse. AP Photo/Allison Robbert
Fans react as they watch the big screen at Fan Fest. Tom Brenner/Getty Images