Trump is 80 years old, and the celebration he is planning has become a political controversy

Instead of a family meal, a state event or a celebratory reception as other world leaders usually do, the American president is planning a huge show that will include UFC boxing matches in the heart of the White House grounds, in the presence of thousands of spectators, a national television broadcast and a huge set that will be erected on the south lawn of the historic presidential residence.

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For his supporters it is an extraordinary patriotic celebration; For his critics, this is another example of the blurring of the lines between politics, entertainment and cult of personality.

As part of the celebrations, the White House will become a battle arena for the American mixed martial arts organization, the UFC. For the purpose of the event, an octagonal boxing cage is set up on the south lawn of the White House, alongside bleachers, lighting systems and huge steel structures. One of the most prominent elements in the complex is a steel arch about 28 meters high, which was placed in place in recent weeks and provoked quite a bit of criticism among the president’s opponents.

A party or a commercial event?

In recent days, several federal lawsuits have been filed in an attempt to prevent the event from taking place. The plaintiffs, including public activists and anti-corruption organizations, claim that the White House and other national sites cannot be used for a private sporting event of a commercial nature. According to them, the administration bypassed normal approval procedures and did not receive the required approvals from Congress and environmental authorities before starting the construction of the complex.

One lawsuit claims that the event was primarily intended to promote the UFC fighting organization and its head, Dana White, who is considered one of Trump’s closest allies. The prosecutors also point out that Trump himself owns shares of the organization’s parent company, which they say raises serious questions about a conflict of interest between the president and his administration. “This is a private and commercial use of one of the most important national symbols of the United States,” reads one of the petitions submitted to the court.

One of the most prominent critics of the celebration is California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is considered one of the top figures in the Democratic Party and a possible presidential candidate in the 2028 elections.

After the details of the incident were revealed, Newsom mocked the administration on social media and wrote that “Thank God they are focusing on the priorities of all Americans.” In another tweet, Newsom intensified the criticism, and attached a photo of the construction work for the stadium at the White House next to the caption, “They are destroying the White House just as they are destroying the Constitution.”

At the same time, public protest events against the show are also being organized. Civil organizations are planning rallies and protests throughout the country. One of the groups leading the opposition claims that the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States and the president’s birthday should deal with democracy, citizenship and common values, and not become a show around the personality of Donald Trump.

“One of the fun nights”

The White House strongly rejected the criticism.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt told the media that the event will be “one of the most enjoyable nights in American history” and that its existence at the White House during the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence is a fitting tribute to the American nation. Those close to Trump emphasized to the US media that the president is a longtime fan of the mixed martial arts industry, and that for many years he has maintained a close relationship with the management of the organization, so they claim that the party does not constitute an ethical or business problem.

Trump himself addressed the event and criticism of it in an interview with Time magazine. “First of all, because I like it,” said the president when asked why he did the event. “No one in the future will have the privilege of holding an event like this at the White House. It will be a very unique event, it will be amazing, and I think it’s a great thing for America,” he added.

reached Biden’s age

The event also highlights once again the huge difference between Trump and former President Joe Biden. In 2022, when Biden celebrated his 80th birthday in the White House, he chose to celebrate the event with a family brunch at the compound, with almost no public and media coverage.

At that time, his advisers tried to reduce as much as possible the public discussion of his advanced age and his mental or health condition. Trump, on the other hand, takes a completely opposite approach. Instead of downplaying his age, he makes it part of the show. This bluntness is what his fans love and admire. His opponents, on the other hand, dislike his pompous behavior.

For years, Trump used to mock Biden for his age and, as I remember, called him “Sleepy Joe”. Now, as he too turns 80, he is trying to present an image completely opposite to that of Biden. As part of this, his birthday became a political, media and cultural show designed to transmit strength, self-confidence and public presence.

If there are no further legal delays and if the weather cooperates, thousands of spectators are expected to arrive at the White House on June 14, while millions more will watch the televised broadcast of the battles on the White House lawns.

Either way, it is already clear that Donald Trump’s 80th birthday will be completely different from any presidential birthday celebration the United States has known in the past, and will become another strange and unique chapter in his unusual tenure.