The birthday celebrations kicked off at UFC Freedom 250 with a special guest appearance.
Former President Donald Trump received a grand welcome on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, joining promoter Dana White as they arrived to the sound of trumpets. The event featured a performance by the Zac Brown Band singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by a dramatic 12-jet flyover as AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” played in the background. This spectacle came despite earlier concerns about adverse weather conditions.
Washington D.C. was bustling with thousands of fight enthusiasts and protesters alike, all gathered for the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House. Despite the looming threat of lightning and thunderstorms, officials ultimately decided to move forward with the event.
The possibility of a weather-related delay seemed to be a sensitive topic for the White House. Earlier on Sunday, a report from the Weather Channel sparked a strong reaction from an administration spokesperson after predicting rain, strong winds, and mosquitoes on the White House lawn.
In response, the White House’s @RapidResponse47 account issued a fiery post on social media platform X, stating, “This event is about celebrating America’s unmatched greatness after 250 years — which apparently doesn’t sit well with the friendless loser who wrote this bulls*** clickbait headline. Rain or shine, we’re celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Dana White walks alongside Donald Trump from the White House to the South Lawn
Melania Trump arrives at UFC Freedom 250. Her husband was escorted in by Dana White
The Claw, as it is known, offers a support system for the UFC’s many lighting fixtures
A 12-jet flyover is seen over the White House prior to UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night
President Donald Trump and UFC promoter Dana White exit the White House for the show
The arena is seen on the South Lawn of the White House from the Washington Monument
Clouds are seen over the Washington Monument ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday
Gathering clouds loom over the Ellipse, National Mall and White House in Washington DC
Fans line up as the gates open for the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at The Ellipse on June 14,
The UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest on The Ellipse and the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House are seen from the top of the Washington Monument
Members of the National Guard patrol as fans arrive to the UFC Fan Fest on the Ellipse
People are seen on the roof of the White House prior to the UFC Freedom 250 fights taking place on the South Lawn. Meanwhile, fans wish a happy 80th to their ‘dearest leader’
Ryan McKenna and Ben Owens stand at the UFC Fan Fest on the Ellipse
For his part, White has shared the same belief that Sunday’s show will proceed regardless of the weather in Washington.
Trump’s middle son Eric shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the distinct setting for Sunday night’s fight festivities earlier in the day. From the roof of the White House, the 42-year-old showed aerial view of the newly constructed arena underneath ‘The Claw,’ a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lighting, sound equipment and large screens.
To the side, cranes loomed over the White House as part of the construction for the new East Wing ballroom.
Meanwhile, outside the White House, angry protestors are attacking Trump over his immigration policy, allegations of corruption, and the war with Iran, which the President once again claimed to have ended on Sunday.
‘Congratulations to all!’ he wrote on social media, without providing details about the deal to open the Strait of Hormuz. He added, ‘Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!’
The Tkachuk brothers, Brady (left) and Matthew (right), take part in fan fest on Sunday
People take part in a protest organized by Refuse Fascism against the Trump administration ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 event. Citizens called for Trump’s removal from office
The weather for Sunday’s event remains a potential threat, not that the White House cares
The view from under ‘The Claw,’ a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with UFC equipment
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and his wife Katie arrive at the White House
FBI Director Kash Patel and Country Music Artist Alexis Wilkins arrive at the White House
An AI-generated image of Donald Trump kissing Russian President Vladimir Putin is raised
There is a heavy police presence at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington DC
The protestors aren’t the only unwelcome guests the event.
MMA fighter Sean Strickland was escorted out of a UFC Freedom 250 by US Secret Service and other law enforcement after his mocking comments about Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
Strickland claimed earlier this month that he had been banned over his comments about Trump’s connections to the convicted sex offender and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, the former UFC champion defied that ban on Sunday when he attended the Fan Fest at the nearby Ellipse in Washington DC.
His shock appearance received a frosty reception from the MAGA-loyal MMA fans in attendance who stormed towards the ring where he stood, immediately jeering and booing.
Strickland was then kicked out of the event, escorted away by Secret Service agents to chants of ‘USA’ from the crowd.
‘UFC at the White House with [Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight slop,’ Strickland, the MMA promotion’s undisputed middleweight champion wrote on Instagram last week.
Law enforcement swiftly moved into action, detaining Strickland and kicking him out
The MMA fighter snuck into the Fan Fest after previously claiming he had been banned
With clouds gathering in the background, fans eagerly await Sunday’s UFC fight card
Fans wait for Sunday’s fight card to get underway on the Ellipse near the White House
The Ellipse attracted thousands of fans on Sunday for UFC Freedom 250 in Wasington
To celebrate Trump’s 80th birthday and the country’s 250th, White’s UFC claims to have spent $60 million on this weekend’s festivities, which the President billed as ‘the greatest show on earth.’
UFC fans and patriots alike jumped at the chance to claim some real estate at the Ellipse as they arrived at the promotion’s fan fest hours before the fighters were slated to take to the Octagon on the South Lawn.
Most noticeably, though, will be the 4,000-plus fight fans screaming themselves hoarse on the South Lawn. And all of this will take place in a temporary, newly constructed arena under ‘The Claw,’ a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lighting, sound equipment and large screens.
As for the thousands waiting in line hours before the opening fight, they were will be watching on big screens from the nearby Ellipse.
‘This event is a one of one event, incredible event. I love it,’ White, a close friend of the President, during a Friday night hype session at the Lincoln Memorial.
MMA fans showed up by the thousands for Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 in Washington DC
Trump protestors call for the President’s removal from office on Sunday in Washington
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy arrives at the White House for UFC Freedom 250
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki arrives at the White House ahead of the UFC Freedom 250
Donald Trump is seen in attendance alongside UFC Dana White during the UFC 327 event
A fan in attendance during the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at The Ellipse on Sunday night
This is the planned setup for Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 on the White House’s South Lawn
A fan poses for a picture in an octagon set up during the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest
Cranes are seen near the White House ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday
House speaker and Trump ally Mike Johnson has arrived at UFC Freedom 250
A satellite image shows the White House and The Ellipse after the construction of the setup
There will be two title fights taking place on Paramount’s premium streaming service, Paramount+: Brazil’s Alex Pereira against France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title and Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria against interim champ, American Justin Gaethje.
The night’s other bouts include recent challengers Michael Chandler, Derrick Lewis and former 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley.
The bout represents another in the long history between White and Trump, who began hosting the MMA promotion’s events at the since-shuttered Trump Taj Mahal back in 2001.
Since then, White has introduced Trump at three separate Republican National Conventions and was even present at the recent White House Correspondents’ Association dinner that was interrupted by an attempted assassin.
Many UFC fighters have professed their love and admiration for Trump, including Jon Jones, Colby Covington, Conor McGregor and Gaethje.