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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump’s Ultimate Fighting Championship takeover at the White House is coming up fast — and it’s exactly as weird as you’d expect.
What’s going on? This week, a new construction project has been rising fast on the White House campus. Not Trump’s East Wing ballroom — that’s on hold for now — but an octagonal fighting cage on the South Lawn, surmounted by star-spangled arches.
The event is ostensibly part of “Freedom 250,” celebrations for America’s 250th year, but the date gives it away: The fight — put on by Trump’s longtime friend, UFC president Dana White — is scheduled for June 14, on Trump’s 80th birthday. Trump himself is a dedicated fan of the often-brutal sport.
Who’s paying for it? Allegedly, it’s all the UFC — to the tune of about $60 million. No tickets for the event will go on sale directly, but as BBC Sport reports, “guest packages” for the event could go for as much as $1.5 million apiece. (Other tickets will go to US servicemembers, though they’ll have to pay their own way — and reportedly adhere to height and weight standards in order to attend.)
What’s the big picture? Trump is indulging a personal hobby and giving a close friend untold millions in free publicity by hosting an event on his own birthday on the White House lawn.
Needless to say, none of that is normal — but increasingly, it’s also looking like business as usual, as the president attempts to permeate America’s currency, its passport, its national parks, many buildings in Washington and elsewhere, and even its 250th birthday with his own name, image, and gaudy aesthetic.
And with that, it’s time to log off…
Here’s a lighthearted note to end the week: Defector’s Kathryn Xu on how to teach a cat to do tricks (with some excellent video, and a gift link). Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you back here Monday for the first day of June!
