Trump Receives Standing Ovation at UFC 316 in Newark

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
08/06/2025 08h51

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President Donald Trump received a roaring applause as he stepped into the Prudential Center just before the commencement of the UFC pay-per-view event on Saturday night. In a break from his ongoing public spat with tech mogul Elon Musk, Trump chose to immerse himself in the electrifying combat sports atmosphere.

Accompanied by UFC President Dana White, Trump made his way to their cageside seats to the tune of Kid Rock's "American Bad Ass." Both Trump and White had previously attended a UFC event together at Madison Square Garden last November, where they were joined by Musk.

Fans cheered and reached out with their mobile devices to capture photos as Trump shook hands with his admirers. Among those in attendance were notable figures like retired boxing legend Mike Tyson. Trump was also joined by family members Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, son Eric Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The excitement escalated as Trump greeted members of the UFC broadcast team, including Joe Rogan, who had hosted Trump on his podcast during the final stages of his campaign last year. Trump, a longstanding fan of UFC, frequently attends major fights, reflecting his deep-rooted enthusiasm for the sport.

As the event unfolded, UFC fighter Kevin Holland clinched a victory over Vicente Luque in the first fight after Trump's arrival. Holland scaled the cage to shake hands with Trump and briefly conversed with both Trump and White before continuing with his post-fight interview.

Trump’s friendship with Dana White spans over two decades, dating back to 2001 when White hosted a UFC bout at Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. This long-standing alliance has been mutually beneficial, as White has publicly supported Trump, and Trump has frequently attended UFC matches, often accompanied by well-known personalities like Kid Rock and former Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson.

Trump’s presence at the fights not only energizes the crowd but reinforces his connection to the UFC community, a bond that has proved advantageous in his political ventures as well.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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