Directly in front of the US president’s official residence, a cage-like arena was set up on Sunday evening (local time). More than 4,000 spectators, including cabinet members, Trump’s family, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, watched the fights. Another 120,000 visitors were expected at a fan festival in the adjacent Ellipse Park.
Trump is known as a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a often bloody combat sport that combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, karate, and jiu-jitsu. UFC boss Dana White, a close friend of the president, had already supported him during the election campaign. Together, the two appeared on the balcony of the White House at the start of the event, where “Happy Birthday” chants rose from the crowd and the national anthem was played. Fighter jets flew over the dome structure erected above the arena, called “The Claw,” which towered over the White House.
Critics had tried to prevent the spectacle through legal action. They accused Trump of granting White and his company access to the White House to host a private, for-profit sports event with advertising and branding opportunities. A US court dismissed the lawsuit, however, on the grounds that the objections had been raised too late.
Already for Trump’s 79th birthday, a controversial military parade with tanks, drones, and helicopters had taken place in Washington. Officially, the 250th founding anniversary of the US Army was celebrated at the time, but many Americans saw it as a personal gift for Trump. This time too, the 250th Independence Day of the USA (July 4) served as the official occasion. “Whenever you think rock bottom has been reached, he goes one better,” said Joseph Tiernan, who was one of the few people protesting the event on site.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
