Miami: President Donald Trump said his clapping and cheering as he sat down at the UFC event in Florida was “We’re doing a great job.”
Trump shook hands with some supporters as he walked to Cageside seat at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday night while others waved his trademark red sports cap. The Republican president spent hours before flying back to his home in Palm Beach, saying it was “a great honor” to get recognition from the crowd.
“It says we do well. If we don’t do well, we get the opposite.”
In the nearly three months since he returned to office, Trump has launched a broad effort led by billionaire Elon Musk, shrinking the government by firing thousands of workers and cutting spending, so far failed to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and impose tariffs on many countries, including allies near the United States.
Democrats, even some Trump supporters, have criticized his early actions.
But at UFC, it’s a night of warriors focusing on the cage.
“End of the day, they all showed up, they were great,” Trump said. “I mean, they were all warriors, modern warriors.”
At one point, fighter Dominick Reyes walked to the octagonal side after winning the game and acknowledging Trump. After the post-fight interview, Reyes went to take a photo with the president.
Trump’s granddaughter Kai Trump joined him in UFC 314, and he said it was great.
The president watched Australian Alexander Volkanovski’s 10th straight title fight, defeating Brazil’s Diego Lopes in a lightweight match in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Trump is a long-time UFC fan and sports enthusiast who regularly participates in big battles and has established long-term friendships with UFC president and CEO Dana White.
It was Trump’s first visit after a few weeks of his Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf Championship at Miami Golf Club since returning to the White House in January.
Trump played in the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 in February. Shortly after winning the election, he competed in Keggid in the UFC title battle in New York in November. Trump’s close ties with the UFC have helped promote his campaign among young male voters.
When Trump entered the Miami Arena accompanied by White, the president shared the hug with podcast host Joe Rogan. Musk and Logan sat next to Trump.
During the event, several members of his administration, including Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
