Donald Trump Promises Big Beautiful UFC Fight To Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the White House will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an epic athletic event on its grounds—but the actual sport will have few ties to this country. Unlike hosting a US-originating pastime like baseball, basketball, or our version of football, the president will welcome a mixed martial arts competition, he told a crowd at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Is the president’s embrace of a discipline rooted in Asia and Brazil over a sport from this country another sign that his so-called “America First” stance is continuing to soften? Or is he just leaning into a sport he’s familiar with as a longtime casino proprietor?