Key facts
- President Donald Trump hosted mixed martial arts fights on the White House lawn, marking the first professional sporting event held there.
- The event coincided with Trump's 80th birthday and was part of celebrations for the nation's 250th anniversary.
- Protesters demonstrated outside the White House, citing concerns over corruption and the commercialization of federal grounds.
- Sponsorships from corporations and political groups were visible at the event.
- Trump had previously reported purchasing shares in UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
- A lawsuit challenging the event's legality was dismissed by a federal judge.
President Donald Trump hosted mixed martial arts fights on the White House lawn on Sunday, an unprecedented event marking his 80th birthday and coinciding with national anniversary celebrations. The spectacle blended political pageantry with his business interests and political brand, featuring seven bouts sponsored by corporations and political allies. Fighters met with Trump after their victories, with some offering praise and gifts. The event, nicknamed 'The Claw,' was organized by UFC and sponsored in part by Trump family ventures, including Trump Coin. Tickets were not publicly sold, with military personnel and invited guests filling the seats. A lawsuit challenging the event's legality was dismissed by a federal judge, though a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed only 16% of U.S. adults approved of the White House hosting the fights.