If you thought Donald Trump’s post-election victory lap was going to stick to rallies and golf courses, think again. The President-elect took center stage at UFC 295, turning fight night into a full-blown political and pop culture event that screamed, “2024, we’re just getting started.”
The guest list alone was a headliner. Trump’s entourage included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his surprising pick for health secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman now slated to be director of national intelligence. They weren’t the only stars rubbing elbows with MAGA royalty — Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr. were there, as was Kid Rock, because of course he was.
Adding to the chaos, Trump and Kennedy arrived in style, flying to the fight on Trump’s private plane like it was the world’s most controversial buddy comedy. The duo then took their front-row seats next to tech mogul Elon Musk, with Trump greeting fans like he was the main event.
And because subtlety isn’t exactly the Trump brand, the night included an impromptu campaign video on the jumbotron. Set to an adrenaline-pumping highlight reel, the video ended with “45” and “47” flashing on the screen — a nod to Trump’s past and future presidencies. The crowd, predictably, erupted into chants of “USA! USA!” because this is the Trump universe, and that’s how these things go.
But wait, there’s more. UFC champ Jon Jones defended his heavyweight title and capped off his victory with Trump’s signature “YMCA” dance. If you thought seeing a giant man celebrate his win by voguing to Village People was surreal, he then handed Trump his championship belt in a moment that somehow managed to be both heartwarming and absurd.
Trump’s ties to the UFC run deep. Back in the day, when the sport was still finding its footing, he hosted fights at his Atlantic City casinos, giving the league a platform when others wouldn’t. Now, he’s returned to the octagon as a bona fide pop culture icon, mingling with UFC legends, podcast powerhouses like Joe Rogan, and his signature mix of loyal fans and curious spectators.
So, what did we learn from Trump’s UFC cameo? It’s that no event — not even a night of bloody knockouts — is safe from his larger-than-life presence. Whether you see it as a victory lap or a political power move, one thing’s for sure: Trump’s campaign trail just became a lot more interesting.
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