Donald Trump returned to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, attending UFC 309 with Dana White, president of the mixed martial arts promotion, and several other close Republican allies.
Trump has attended numerous UFC events with White, who spoke at the president-elect’s victory celebration earlier this month in Mar-a-Lago. And on Saturday, he was ringside at UFC 309 in New York City’s MSG. Trump has spent much of his time post-election at his Florida resort, making his attendance one of few public appearances since he secured the White House.
• FOLLOW LIVE: UFC 309 – latest Jones vs Miocic updates and results
It was at MSG that Trump hosted a controversial rally just a few weeks ago, with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe delivering racist jokes inside the world-famous arena.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” said Hinchcliffe, whose set also included lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and Black people, all key constituencies in the election.
The episode was not enough to thwart Trump’s presidential bid, however. He is attending tonight’s event amid growing discontent over some of his cabinet picks.
When Trump celebrated his victory, his close friend White was present to deliver a short speech.
“Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does,” said White, 55. “This is what happens when the machine comes after you. This is karma, ladies and gentlemen. He deserves this. They deserve it as a family.”
Trump was greeted by huge cheers in MSG on Saturday, flanked by White and popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who recently endorsed the former president.
One of Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was in attendance tonight alongside the president-elect. Kennedy, a former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist, is his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services despite his many controversies.
Pictures showed Trump entering with billionaire ally Elon Musk and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson as well.
The group of right-wing allies posed for photos and waved to attendees.
In the main event of UFC 309, Jon Jones stopped Stipe Miocic to retain his heavyweight title, before imitating Trump’s viral dance, and handing the 78-year-old the belt at ringside.
Additional reporting by AP.
