Donald Trump Attends UFC 316 in New Jersey, Earning Loud Applause
Down and Dirty at UFC 316
Last Saturday night, the Prudential Center in New Jersey hosted UFC 316, and as is often the case with these events, a high-profile guest made an appearance – none other than the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Trump.
Just after 9:30 PM on the East Coast, the president's motorcade rolled up to the venue, home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils. The main event was a bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley.
Around 10 PM, the man himself, flanked by UFC boss Dana White, strutted out onto the arena floor. The crowd went wild as Trump worked his way through a sea of handshakes, including some with the legendary boxer Mike Tyson. But the warmest reception belonged to the comedian, podcaster, and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who shares a palpable camaraderie with the president. Their bond dates back to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, resulting in an endorsement that proved pivotal.
However, this time, Trump's entourage was noticeably smaller, with the conspicuous absence of Elon Musk. Musk's disagreements with Trump over the "big, beautiful bill" and associated immigration proposals had escalated into a very public feud, playing out on social media. More controversially, Musk made claims about Trump's potential involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case, finding himself embroiled in a series of heated exchanges[1][2].
Yet, Trump appeared to be in good spirits, taking his seat ahead of the main event. His last UFC visit had been just a short hop from Mar-A-Lago at UFC 314 in Miami back in April.
As for the latest feud between Trump and Musk, it didn't seem to cast a shadow over UFC 316. However, the ongoing public spat has been brewing in the weeks leading up to this event. The drama intensified when Musk insinuated that Trump could not have clinched the presidency without his support, pouring fuel on the fire of the already heated disagreement[1][2].
[1] Business Insider. (2023). Elon Musk and Donald Trump's feud explained: from electric vehicles to SpaceX, what's really going on? [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/why-elon-musk-and-donald-trump-feud-explained-2023-6
[2] The Guardian. (2023). Elon Musk threatens to terminate Trump's government contracts after Twitter feud escalates. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jun/03/elon-musk-threatens-to-terminate-trump-government-contracts-after-twitter-feud-escalates
At UFC 316, it was evident that the president's love for sports spanned beyond politics, as he showed up to enjoy a night of mixed-martial-arts, much like the time he attended UFC 314 in Miami. Despite his ongoing feud with Elon Musk, the glamorous event seemed to distract him, fueling anticipation for the main bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley, rather than the increasingly heated disagreements off the mat.
