At 10 am Saturday, a robust man made a dramatic entrance onto a stage in a hotel conference room. He sported stretchy boxer shorts and a multitude of tattoos. Speaking with a Californian drawl, he mentioned his excessive drinking the previous night, attributing it to the anticipation of facing a formidable opponent. The man, identified as Josh Hokit, is a favored UFC fighter of former President Donald Trump. In his recent fight, Hokit secured victory in just two rounds, achieving a technical knockout against Derrick Lewis by unleashing a series of impactful punches while pinning him to the ground. The match, held on the South Lawn of the White House, was a graphic exhibition of violence aimed at entertaining Trump on his 80th birthday. Sponsored by Trump’s social network, Truth Social, the event emphasized the platform as the “authentic voice of President Trump,” with fighters receiving compensation partly in USD1, a cryptocurrency affiliated with a Trump family enterprise.
In a celebratory gesture, Hokit bestowed upon Trump, who was seated at ringside, a gold chain medallion featuring his own image, followed by a provocative statement directed at Michelle Obama. The unconventional use of the South Lawn, typically reserved for hosting dignitaries and world leaders, including recent visitors King Charles and Queen Camilla, for this violent spectacle marked a departure from tradition.
Billed as a “gift to the American people,” the event required a premium streamer subscription to watch on TV. The 5,000 exclusive seats at the venue were reserved for VIPs, such as Mark Zuckerberg, Tyson Fury, and actor Shane Gillis, along with select military personnel who met stringent physical criteria. The general public could only watch the event on large screens at the adjacent Ellipse park. At the accompanying two-day “Fan Fest,” attendees enjoyed complimentary water and Monster energy drinks, with a special emphasis on the new “Red, White and Blue Razz” flavor to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
The festive atmosphere at the event included activities such as burnouts by a Nascar racer, strength tests on punchbags, mechanical bull rides, and photo opportunities in a replica UFC octagon ring. Despite weather warnings of a potential thunderstorm, the event proceeded without interruptions, averting a forced evacuation that would have affected the VIP attendees differently from the general audience.
Prior to the main event, a dispute with the Weather Channel concerning challenging weather conditions added to the event’s anticipation. Trump’s social media post during the festivities announcing progress in negotiations with Iran highlighted the event’s juxtaposition of violence and political developments. The headline fight, a lightweight title match, saw challenger Justin Gaethje claim victory over champion Ilia Topuria, securing both the title belt and significant facial damage.
The financing of the event, estimated at $60 million, supposedly covered by UFC’s parent company TKO group, raised questions regarding additional costs for security and ceremonial elements. Notably, the event featured endorsements for a gold coin featuring Trump’s likeness, available for purchase at a premium price. Amidst the extravagant display of wealth and power, the event faced criticism for its insensitivity, extravagance, and lack of inclusivity.
Despite the controversy surrounding the event, Trump reveled in the occasion, considering it a fitting celebration for his birthday. Public opinion on hosting a UFC event at the White House lawn remained divided, with only a small percentage of Americans viewing it as appropriate.