MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump mentioned the standing ovation and cheers he drew when he took his seat at a UFC occasion in his dwelling state of Florida have been indicators “we’re doing a very good job.”
Trump shook palms with some supporters as he walked to his cageside seat Saturday night time at Miami’s Kaseya Middle whereas others waved his trademark purple marketing campaign cap.
The Republican president, who stayed for a number of hours earlier than flying again to his dwelling in Palm Seashore, mentioned it was a “nice honor” to obtain that recognition from the group.
“It says we’re doing a very good job. If we weren’t doing a very good job, we’d get the other,” he instructed reporters accompanying him aboard Air Power One.
Within the practically three months since he has been again in workplace, Trump has launched a broad effort led by billionaire Elon Musk to shrink authorities by firing 1000’s of staff and slicing spending, tried unsuccessfully so far to finish Russia’s war against Ukraine and impose tariffs against many countries, together with shut allies of the USA.
Democrats, and even some Trump supporters, have criticized his early actions.
However at UFC, it was an evening targeted on the fighters within the cage.
“Each certainly one of them got here up on the finish, and so they have been nice,” Trump mentioned. “I imply, they’re all warriors, modern-day warriors.”
At one level, fighter Dominick Reyes walked over to the aspect of the Octagon after successful his bout and acknowledged Trump. Reyes went to take a photograph with the president after the post-fight interview.
Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, who attended UFC 314 with him, mentioned it was “superior.”
The president watched as Australian Alexander Volkanovski won his 10th championship fight in a row, defeating Diego Lopes of Brazil early Sunday morning by unanimous determination within the featherweight contest.
Trump is a longtime UFC fan and sports activities fanatic who has often attended main fights and has had a longtime friendship with Dana White, the UFC president and CEO.
It was Trump’s first UFC go to since returning to the White Home in January and got here weeks after he attended the Saudi-sponsored LIV golf event at his golf membership in Miami.
Trump attended the Super Bowl and Daytona 500, each in February. He was cageside at a UFC championship fight in New York in November, shortly after successful the election. Trump’s shut affiliation with UFC had helped enhance his marketing campaign amongst young male voters.
As Trump entered the Miami enviornment accompanied by White, the president shared an embrace with podcast host Joe Rogan. Musk and Rogan sat by Trump’s aspect.
Additionally on the occasion have been a number of members of his administration, together with Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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Superville reported from West Palm Seashore, Florida.
