President Donald Trump, alongside key figures from his administration and tech mogul Elon Musk, was prominently situated ringside at a Miami Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on Saturday night. Known for his admiration of the sport’s intense energy and spectacle, this marks Mr. Trump’s second UFC attendance since securing re-election in November, and his first as the sitting President.
The UFC, distinct from the scripted nature of World Wrestling Entertainment, presents authentic bouts, and Mr. Trump has long been an aficionado. He previously attended a New York City UFC event in 2019 during his initial term. Highlighting his close ties with the sport, Dana White, UFC’s CEO, joined Mr. Trump onstage during his 2024 election victory address.
Saturday’s event underscored President Trump’s increasingly assertive persona, aligning with a broader agenda focused on immigration and crime control. His entrance to the Kaseya Center was marked by boisterous applause and the music of Kid Rock’s “American Bad Ass.” The president was in illustrious company, seated next to Elon Musk and joined by prominent figures such as FBI Director Kash Patel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with his spouse, actress Cheryl Hines. Also present was Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
An awkward moment unfolded upon arrival, as Mr. Trump seemingly overlooked Ms. Hines’ extended hand, which quickly gained traction on social media. However, any tension was later diffused with a cordial exchange facilitated by Mr. Kennedy.
The evening’s main card featured five gripping fights, concluding around 1 a.m. on Sunday. After the opening bouts, triumphant fighters scaled the octagonal cage to engage the crowd, with Mr. Trump responding with visible approval. Elon Musk took to his platform, X, to share a clip of Dominick Reyes landing a decisive punch against Ukrainian Nikita Krylov, the first match the President witnessed. Following his victory, Reyes posed for photos with Mr. Trump outside the ring.
Another highlight of the night involved Bryce Mitchell, an Arkansas-born fighter and staunch Trump supporter, who lost to Brazilian Jean Silva. Mitchell had earlier stirred controversy by making offensive remarks about Adolf Hitler, condemned by Dana White as “disgusting,” though Mitchell faced no official repercussions beyond issuing an apology.
Since his 2016 presidential bid, Trump has infused his campaign rallies with the theatricality of wrestling and UFC events, leveraging his history as a casino owner who hosted such spectacles. The atmosphere on Saturday was emblematic of the cultural and support networks that propelled Trump’s return to the White House. Notably, Joe Rogan, a prominent Texas-based podcaster who featured an extensive pre-election interview with Trump, was in attendance.
En route to the event, Trump’s journey from Palm Beach to Miami aboard Air Force One was marked by reflections on ongoing global trade conflicts affecting financial markets, expressing optimism about forthcoming resolutions. “So, we’re going to the fight,” Trump remarked, drawing a parallel between the evening’s physical combat and broader geopolitical disputes.
As Trump continues to blend political objectives with elements of popular culture, his presence at such events underscores the melding of entertainment and politics, a hallmark of his distinctive approach to the presidency.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/us/politics/trump-ufc-fight-reyes.html
Category : Ultimate Fighting Championship,Trump, Donald J,Presidential Election of 2024,Gabbard, Tulsi (1981- ),Kennedy, Robert F Jr,Musk, Elon,Patel, Kashyap,Rogan, Joe,Rubio, Marco,Hines, Cheryl
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Publish Date: 2025-04-13 11:03:00
