Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday by finalizing a peace agreement with Iran and hosting a mixed martial arts event at the White House. The agreement was announced shortly before the Ultimate Fighting Championship event began, despite storm warnings in Washington DC.
Following the UFC event, President Trump was set to depart for a meeting with G7 leaders in France, where the Iranian peace deal was anticipated to be a focal point. The details of the agreement were still being disclosed.
Before the special cage-fighting event commemorating America’s 250th independence anniversary, President Trump and UFC head Dana White walked from the Oval Office to the White House balcony to view the massive open-sided structure known as “The Claw” on the South Lawn. Fighter jets flew overhead in formation as the national anthem played, igniting cheers from the crowd.
President Trump took his seat near the octagon cage for the scheduled seven bouts, with notable attendees like British boxer Tyson Fury sporting a “Donald Trump for prime minister” hat. Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg was seen conversing with the president during a break, alongside other prominent figures like FBI director Kash Patel and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Thousands watched the fights on a large screen near the White House, with some spectators traveling from across the country to witness the spectacle. The event juxtaposed fighters warming up in the formal setting of the White House.
While the UFC was believed to cover the $60 million bill, official records indicated that multiple agencies provided resources for the event, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, present at the UFC event, expressed reservations about the Iran deal, emphasizing the need for future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised Trump for achieving a historic peace deal with Iran, highlighting his leadership and engagement with allies and adversaries. President Trump’s approval of the agreement signified the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for mine removal purposes.
Plans are underway for a defensive operation to protect shipping in the channel post-conflict, with discussions on Tehran’s nuclear aspirations remaining unresolved. Vice President JD Vance hinted at Trump’s possible attendance at the signing ceremony, pending logistical arrangements.