Donald Trump returned to Madison Square Garden with top lieutenants Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy to take part in another UFC fight night, but this time as the president-elect.
Trump’s deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, shot the video as he boarded Trump’s plane to New York, where he will attend UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Trump traveled with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he named earlier this week as his choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who began the 2024 campaign as the Democratic nominee, suspended his bid and joined forces with Trump in August, becoming a powerful surrogate and close confidant in the final months of the race.
There were rumors that Trump would take part in more fights in the Octagon after attending several UFC events in the past.
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Donald Trump speaks with UFC President Dana White during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Steve Marks/Getty Images)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential primary candidate who dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Trump; Tweeted a picture With Kid Rock in the Madison Square Garden fight. It was unclear whether they flew with Trump or traveled separately.
Trump and UFC President Dana White are longtime friends, with the latter appearing several times during Trump’s campaign.
White, who said Trump is a “big fan” of mixed martial arts, was asked to confirm rumors that Trump is visiting the Garden during an interview with TMZ Sports.
“I think anything is possible,” White said with a smile. “Who knows? He might come in.”
White added that the majority of his organization’s fans have expressed their love for Trump over the years.
“When you think about a fighter walkout, any time a fighter walks out. [octagon]”I mean, the two biggest ones that really shake up the field are President Trump and Conor McGregor,” White said. [Saturday] Night, it will be fun for sure.”
Dana White speaks with former President Trump, Republican presidential candidate, during a rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Brandon McDermid/Reuters)
Trump arrived at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for UFC 302 in June, to thunderous applause from the crowd.
Now that Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, the reaction to seeing Trump in “the most famous arena in the world” is expected.
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who returned to the Octagon more than two years after his last fight, is a known supporter of Trump and is believed to be in attendance.
“I saw Trump, and he said, “I’m either going to be there on November 16 because we won the election, or, if I lose, I’m going to be depressed, and I’m not going to show up.” Obviously, he won the election, so it looks like he’s going there,” Chandler said.
Chandler added that it would be an “honor” to win his fight in front of Trump.
Former President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign event on September 25, 2024 in Mint Hill, NC. (AP Photo/Evan Vokey, File)
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Chandler is part of the UFC 309 co-main event and will fight Charles Oliveira. Jon “Bones” Jones also enters the Octagon after a long hiatus and will be a heavy favorite over Stip Miocic.
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