Mr. President: No need for UFC, the White House has already been a bloody octagon
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. For most countries, such historical milestones usually mean solemn ceremonies and the consolidation of national consensus, but Trump's version seems to be quite different.
After the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Big and Beautiful" bill on July 3, Trump flew to Iowa that evening to kick off the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence. It is reported that the related celebrations will last for an entire year, until July 4, 2026. That night, at a "Honoring America" rally, Trump said, "We will hold a birthday party for the 250th anniversary of the birth of America in a way never seen before."
The most astonishing part was his proposal — holding the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at the White House. Trump proudly stated, "We have a lot of space at the White House," and specifically invited Dana White, the chairman of UFC, to organize it, saying, "He is great, unique." Trump said this would be a complete championship match, capable of accommodating 25,000 people, and will seek the necessary permits to hold it at the White House and its surrounding areas.
UFC events are known for their intensity and violence. Moving such a "close combat" into the White House, which symbolizes the nation's system and authority, is indeed something "never seen before," as Trump said. Media pointed out that hosting a "bloody cage fight" at the White House may provoke criticism, calling it an "amazing plan." However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that Trump was "very serious" about it.
Another "high-energy proposal" from Trump is to build a "Hero Garden," where 250 statues of great figures will be erected, including American founding father George Washington, President Lincoln who liberated slaves, basketball star Kobe Bryant, boxer Muhammad Ali, music "diva" Whitney Houston, and Apple founder Steve Jobs. According to reports, the recently passed "Big and Beautiful" bill includes $40 million for this project.
However, once the list was released, it sparked controversy. Some questioned whether "statues of artists have a weak connection with the history of the founding," while others argued that some statue selections were "strange" and "inappropriate," and even "provocative." Additionally, due to the short planning period of only one year, many sculptors worried that rushing would compromise the quality of the works and refused to participate. A monument laboratory owner even bluntly stated that completing 250 statues within a year across the United States is absolutely impossible.
In fact, as early as during Trump's first presidential term in 2020, he had signed an executive order instructing that the "Hero Garden" should be open before the 250th anniversary of American independence. At that time, he gave a speech stating that this measure was aimed at countering the "cancel culture" wave, saying, "These angry mobs are trying to erase our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and instill ideas in our children." The problem is that who is a hero, what is American spirit, and who is worthy of representing the national image seem to be all decided by Trump.
Additionally, Trump announced the launch of a sports event called the "Patriots Games," planned to gather top high school athletes from all 50 states in the U.S. Although details remain unclear, the term "Patriot" has become highly politicized in recent years in American political discourse, especially after the January 6th Capitol riot in 2021, gradually becoming a symbol of identity for some right-wing groups. Therefore, some public opinion believes that Trump will fully express his "patriotism" or "America First" tendencies during this celebration.
"Birthday Parade," What Does It Symbolize?
If the above proposals demonstrated Trump's "imagination" for future celebrations, then his "birthday parade" held on June 14 this year actually sounded the first shot for this celebration.
This day was the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army, which should have been a solemn occasion to honor soldiers and reflect on war. Coincidentally, it also happened to be Trump's 79th birthday. Thus, a grand military ceremony and a presidential birthday celebration merged into one, becoming a rare scene in American political history.
On June 14, Trump stood up and saluted at the parade, flanked by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and First Lady Melania Trump.
Some veteran organizations expressed deep dissatisfaction and refused to attend the event as invited, believing that the activity had degenerated into a "political show" for celebrating Trump's birthday. A Democratic senator sarcastically remarked that instead of spending millions of dollars on a birthday parade for the president, it should be used to subsidize childcare and educational expenses for military families. That night, multiple cities across the country also saw protests under the slogan "No Kings (Reject the King)" to express their discontent with Trump.
According to media reports, Trump has long positioned himself as a "fighter." During his 2024 campaign, he successfully entered the male podcast sphere. Many of these podcasts discuss physical health, promote traditional masculinity, and often share appreciation for mixed martial arts (especially UFC). Therefore, hosting these strength-centered events for the 250th anniversary of American independence has become a political bridge between him and conservative male culture, as well as a key channel for bypassing traditional elite politics and reshaping grassroots recognition.
Source | Zhi News
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836861203079168/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.