Trump Turns 80 Amidst UFC Celebration and Iran Tensions

US President Donald Trump turned 80 on Sunday, a milestone he has admitted he is not particularly fond of, saying it is "not a number" he likes.

Just days before his birthday, Trump told Dr Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that turning 80 was not something he was looking forward to. "You don't have to wish me happy birthday because I'm not happy about that birthday that I'm having," Trump said, the USA Today reported. "That's a number that I never thought really too much about. It's not a number I like, but I'm here, nevertheless," he added.

The comments came during a conversation in the Oval Office on June 11, which was also Oz's 66th birthday.

White House transformed into UFC arena

However, Trump is celebrating the occasion by hosting a massive Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House grounds, turning the presidential residence into a temporary mixed martial arts arena. The UFC event, organised in partnership with UFC president Dana White, featured seven bouts and was linked to celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, which also coincided with Flag Day.

In a video shared by Oz, he jokingly pointed to the giant Octagon set up on the South Lawn and asked Trump what was happening behind them. "So we're going to have a fight and it's going to be on June 14th and you are invited. And I want to wish you a happy birthday. You're a young man. You have many, many years to go. You're doing a fantastic job," Trump told Oz before adding, "And you don't have to wish me a happy birthday."

Iran conflict hangs over celebrations

The birthday festivities came at a challenging political moment for Trump as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to dominate headlines. While Trump has repeatedly suggested that a diplomatic breakthrough may be close, key details of any potential agreement remain unresolved. The celebrations were also overshadowed by a court ruling that led to workers removing Trump's name from the Kennedy Center, located a short distance from the White House.

Contrast with Biden's 80th birthday

Trump's celebration stood in sharp contrast to that of former US President Joe Biden, who marked his 80th birthday in 2022 with a private family brunch at the White House. Defending the UFC event, White House spokesperson Allison Schuster said, "Having this spectacle take place at the people's house on Flag Day during our nation's semiquincentennial anniversary is a fitting tribute."

Trump is currently the oldest person ever elected US president, surpassing Biden. Although he is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, he has continued to joke publicly about extending his political career.

Critics call event a distraction

The event also drew criticism from some observers who argued it served as a distraction from issues including the Iran conflict, inflation concerns and declining approval ratings. According to the Associated Press, Mike Fontaine compared the spectacle to the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome. "This is all distraction," Fontaine said. "This is a classic strategy. In ancient Rome, the phrase would be, 'bread and circuses.'"

While Trump has said UFC is covering the costs, court filings by the National Park Service reportedly showed that more than $60 million and tens of thousands of labour hours were devoted to preparations, with several federal agencies involved. Adding to the controversy, UFC announced that World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company linked to the Trump family, would sponsor a special $250,000 bonus pool for the night's winning fighters.