A major airport shutdown was blamed on a stunt performed at Donald Trump's cage fighting 80th birthday party. And he wasn't even there to see it.
UFC Freedom 250 Opening Festivities
Saturday night saw the opening of UFC Freedom 250, with the ceremonial weigh-in for the fighters who will face each other on the White House South Lawn on Sunday evening. The opening festivities were compered by podcast superstar Joe Rogan and featured The US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, country rock singer Zac Brown and an American Bald Eagle, which soared over the cheering, 10,000 or so strong crowd.
There had reportedly been complaints that the lights shining out from the White House lawn, and the adjacent Ellipse park, were so bright they had distracted airline pilots approaching nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Possible Cause of Shutdown
It may also have been down to a stunt - in which a parachute display team carried an American Stars and Stripes flag to the ground near the Washington Monument - that prompted the airport to ground all flights. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a ground stop had been ordered at Reagan, but did not confirm what had prompted it - only that it was due to an "special event or air show". When the stunt took place, Trump was on his way back from playing golf and hosting a dinner of MAGA supporters at Trump National Golf Club, Virginia.
Upcoming Fights and Fan Fest
Sunday evening will see a full card of Mixed Martial Arts fights - including two title fights. Around 5,000 invited guests, members of the military and Trump administration officials will get to see the fights unfold in the Octagon cage from seating on the South Lawn. For everyone else there's a "Fan Fest" on the Ellipse, the park next to the White House from which Donald Trump gave the infamous speech on January 6th 2021 that helped spark the storming of the US Capitol.
As well as photo and meet-and-greet opportunities, fans can enjoy a string of bars serving alcohol, test-your-strength machines, demonstrations of souped up trucks and a bar that only sells Monster energy drinks. The same bar offers attendees the chance to pose with a group of female models.
Attendee Reactions
Diego and Daniel from Florida came to Florida for the event. Diego said that as well as being a fan of UFC, he was a fan of "historical events." "It's crazy," Daniel added. "It's like a movie. Planes flying over the White House. Crazy."
"At least he's giving us a show," a friend of theirs, who did not give his name, added. Diego said: "He's celebrating freedom." The friend added: "In the best way possible. How we love it, UFC. Fighting. I love it."
Michelle and Andy travelled from Wisconsin to Washington DC on Saturday - but did not attend the event. Andy said he was "definitely not" a fan of the President. "I think it's a circus," Andy told the Mirror. "A circus at the expense of all of us, taxpayers."
