What a difference an election makes. In June 2023, President Joe Biden disgraced the White House by hosting an LGBTQ+ “pride” event that devolved into disgraceful scenes of lewdness and degeneracy capped off by a transgender activist exposing himself on the South Lawn. Fast forward to June 2026, and President Donald Trump orchestrated one of the most iconic – and patriotic – moments in American sports history on that same ground.
Stormy conditions initially threatened to derail the event, but in a minor meteorological miracle – or an act of Providence – the clouds parted following a delay of about an hour. Despite the looming threat of rain, a reported 80,000 spectators gathered on the Ellipse just south of the White House to watch a livestream of the fights.
The sports media will undoubtedly deliver plenty of analysis on the outcome of the fights and what the event meant for the UFC – a sport that has exploded in popularity in recent years. The monumental upset victory for the American Justin Gaethje over the undefeated Ilia Topuria in the main event to become the new lightweight world champion was a fitting capstone on the night, drawing chants of “USA! USA! USA!” from the crowd.
But the results inside the ring aside, it’s worth taking a step back and appreciating what Trump – ever the showman and entertainer – delivered for the country. Even before the first punches were thrown, the lead-up to the event produced multiple images that undoubtedly will live on as some of the greatest from this semiquincentennial year – including a dramatic shot of the Washington Monument with a brilliant rainbow and lightning bolt in the background.
Throughout American history, sports are one of the few things that have always brought the country together. While the UFC draws its athletes from all over the world and has an international following, it is a uniquely American sport – gritty, raw, and defined by toughness and resilience. (And to those critics of fighting at the White House, don’t forget that President Theodore Roosevelt famously engaged in boxing and wrestling matches with just about anyone who would accept his challenge – including one match that left him mostly blind in his left eye.)
But more than that, the fight night was just plain cool. From the jaw-dropping flyover to the military band, spectacular light shows, and thrilling bouts, it was impossible for any objective viewer to not be awed by the scene and feel a sense of pride in being part of the country that puts on such an event as part of its 250th birthday celebration. Great nations and cultures produce great sporting spectacles just like they produce great buildings, art, and literature. Sunday’s event was such a spectacle.
Even some of Trump’s critics couldn’t help but be impressed. “Gotta be honest, this UFC event at the White House looks spectacular,” ESPN host Stephen A. Smith wrote on X. “This is a big time show. I’m not there, and we all know all the complaints folks had about renovations at and around the White House, etc, but — to be fair — this is some impressive stuff I’m looking at.”
Many Trump-hating liberals, of course, still devolved into their usual fits of performative outrage. The “No Kings” organizers even held a horrifically cringe-worthy event called “Rise Up, Sing Out” in protest of the UFC event. But they only succeed in earning mockery online and proving yet again why normal people simple aren’t buying what the Trump Derangement Crowd is selling. The modern left is, for lack of a better term, lame. Who wants to join the side that throws a temper tantrum over an electric sporting event that looks awesome?
If Sunday’s UFC event was any indication of things to come for Trump’s commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial, then the country is in for a truly historic and worthy celebration in the weeks ahead.
Shane Harris is the Editor-in-Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
