Despite reports that a roster of Hollywood stars had been invited to President Donald Trump’s UFC cage fight spectacle at the White House, Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie and Tom Brady — all rumoured attendees — were no-shows on Sunday night.
Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Mario Lopez had also reportedly been invited by UFC president Dana White, but they were also absent. However, comedian Nate Bargatze, Mark Zuckerberg and British boxer Tyson Fury were notable names to appear at Trump’s 80th birthday bash.
The event was staged on the White House’s south lawn, where a ring, seating for roughly 4,500, and a 92-ft-tall steel cage dubbed “The Claw” were erected to celebrate 250 years of American Independence. The cage was lit in red, white and blue as troops saluted fighters who performed pre-fight ring walks from the Oval Office.
Several Trump family members were spotted in the crowd, including his youngest son, Barron Trump. The event was opened by the Zac Brown Band, with the frontman singing the national anthem. Fighters heaped praise on Trump, with Bo Nickal thanking him for “making this happen” and saying it “takes such a special person to have the balls to do something like this.”
The poor turnout from Hollywood marks the latest Trump-linked event snubbed by celebrities. Last month, several musicians pulled out of the Great American State Fair after learning it was sponsored by Freedom 250, a Trump-affiliated group.
