Donald Trump's wild 24 hours have culminated in his 80th birthday celebration, which includes a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, facing potential cancellation for two distinct reasons. The event, set to take place this weekend, is part of the 250th Anniversary celebrations, but Trump's insistence on having the fight led to the French moving the G7 summit to accommodate his birthday.
Threats to the Event
The first threat is the weather. Washington DC in June is known for thunderstorms, and several are forecast for this weekend. The event is open-air, featuring a massive spider-shaped metal scaffolding lighting rig, making it vulnerable to lightning and heavy rain.
The second threat is a lawsuit filed by two Virginia residents against the National Park Service (NPS), which oversees the South Lawn. The suit argues that the Trump administration bypassed federal rules to host a privately-run event on government property. NPS rules generally prohibit sporting events on federal parkland, and no congressional approval or environmental review was sought for the construction of a 7,000-seat arena. The plaintiffs' attorney, Brendan Ballou, called it "a private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain." The Justice Department dismissed the lawsuit as "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory."
Financial Implications
Despite the threats, the Justice Department revealed that UFC and sponsors have spent $60 million on the event, with hundreds of staff and seven government agencies involved. This financial commitment makes cancellation unlikely, but not impossible.
Other Developments
Iran Deal and Strait of Hormuz
Trump's stance on the Iran deal has been fluctuating. He claimed the Strait of Hormuz has been open for months and that the US has been extracting oil under cover of darkness. He also relayed a bizarre conversation with Iran's leadership, but there is no evidence of a breakthrough.
Trump's Health
Speculation about Trump's health has increased after it was revealed that 22 medical specialists examined him during his recent physical, compared to six in previous check-ups. The White House has not explained the reason for the increased number.
National Mall Markings
Someone etched "8647" into the grass of the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. The meaning is unclear, but "86" is a restaurant term for removing something, while Trump is the 47th president.
Kennedy Centre Name
Trump's board at the Kennedy Centre has asked a judge for more time to remove Trump's name from the building, despite a court order to do so by Friday. The judge may view their two-week delay unfavorably.
