The ‘pure misogynistic shite’ of a UFC fight on the White House lawn
A UFC fight was held on the lawn of the White House to celebrate 250 years of America’s independence, but really, it was a birthday party thrown by Trump, for Trump. Does the misogyny of the event really represent America today?
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What’s the story?
"Michelle Obama is a man!" In case you were wondering where American politics is right now, look no further than the cage fight that took place on the lawn of the White House.
To celebrate Donald Trump's 80th birthday, a cage fight was held on the White House lawn, where casual – and deeply unfounded – misogyny was yelled into a microphone by one of the fighters.
There was backlash in 2009 when Michelle Obama planted an organic vegetable garden on the lawn of the White House, but far less has been said about the "ludicrous and lurid" sight of a UFC stadium pitched on the front lawn.
The News Agents say the cage fight, and the Iran deal (also announced on the weekend), are an 80th birthday present from Donald Trump to himself – although it was touted as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence from British rule.
“Having one of the cage fighters on the White House lawn, to a live television audience declaring that Michelle Obama is a man is grotesque,” says Jon Sopel.
“That is going out across America to mark America's 250th birthday.”
Emily Maitlis describes it simply as “pure misogynistic shite”, and echoes the ongoing lawsuit by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron of France against far-right podcaster Candace Owens, who made similar comments about Mrs Macron’s gender identity.
Does the misogyny of a UFC fight at the White House represent America?
The UFC event is estimated to have cost $60 million, a huge expense at a time when America is struggling with a cost of living crisis exacerbated by Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
But the violent spectacle on the White House lawn was more focused on pushing conspiracy theories of the far right, and pushing women out of public life.
Jon Sopel says it suggests a country desperate to turn the clock back on women in public life, to when women were “decorative” and “on the outside of everything.”
“It just seems to represent an America going back 50, 60, 70, years, where you don't expect or respect anyone who is in public life who is a woman,” Jon says.
“But as the old saying goes – men who are macho normally aren't mucho.”
Maitlis doesn’t believe it was representative of America, and more a showcase for its loudest, and most opinionated, voices.
“If that is what a celebration of America at 250 years looks like, then, God help us with the next 250,” she says.
“Those are the voices that are being heard around the world, which tell you what America thinks about itself right now.”
But do those voices even support Trump any more?
The UFC event was hosted by far-right podcast Joe Rogan. Once seen as a staunch supporter of Trump and his MAGA ideology, his recent comments on the president and his second term, make Rogan seem a curious booking.
Shortly before the White House event, he was speaking on his podcast about his frustration at the lack of full disclosure of the Epstein Files, and murky details surrounding the murder of Charlie Kirk.
“We all thought that stuff was going to be released right after the election,” Rogan said.
“We were gonna drain the swamp and find all the pedophiles.”
Maitlis says Trump may need to reassess who’s really got his back as his presidency continues.
“If he is the key voice for Trump's birthday celebrations at the UFC wrestling match , he doesn't sound like that big a fan of the President right now,” she says.
“If that's what your mates are sounding like, woe betide your enemies.”