Trump to Host UFC Fight at White House for 80th Birthday, Wishes for World Peace

(Central News Agency, Washington, 11th, Combined Foreign Reports) U.S. President Donald Trump will turn 80 on the 14th, and the White House will host a fighting competition on the South Lawn that day, sparking controversy. Trump said yesterday that his birthday wish is world peace.

According to AFP, the bloody fighting competition is the ultimate portrayal of American politics in the Trump era. A massive arena named 'The Claw' has been built on the famous South Lawn of the White House, where 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters will compete on the 14th.

Critics have slammed this unprecedented, $60 million event, 'UFC Freedom 250,' as being out of touch with the public's suffering, especially as the Trump administration's war with Iran has caused the cost of living for Americans to skyrocket.

Trump, however, said it is a great way to kick off the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, not to mention a chance to celebrate his birthday, insisting that all costs are covered by the UFC.

Furthermore, the billionaire Republican revels in the masculine aura the event projects, where fighters will compete bare-knuckled in the cage known as the 'Octagon.'

Trump told the New York Post today, 'They are the toughest group of people you will ever see. If you don't watch (this kind of competition) often, you won't believe it.'

Trump has close ties with top figures in combat sports and has attended numerous events in person, earning him support from many young male fans, a demographic crucial to his political rise.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised the event while signing a cooperation agreement with UFC President Dana White to promote mixed martial arts internationally.

Rubio said today, 'This is what Sunday's event is about. It's a gift to the American people,' adding that 'about a billion people' worldwide would watch.

This will undoubtedly be an unprecedented event in the White House's roughly 200-year history.

Approximately 4,000 people will watch inside the arena, and White said more than half of the seats will be provided to U.S. military members. Another estimated 125,000 people will watch on large screens at The Ellipse, south of the White House.

According to USA Today, Trump was asked about his birthday wishes besides peace in the Middle East while signing the 'Secure America Act' in the Oval Office yesterday.

After thinking for a moment, Trump replied, 'World peace,' adding that his New Year's resolution this year was also 'world peace.' (Translation: Lu Yingzi) 1150612