"Michelle Obama is a man?" UFC fighter insults ex-first lady at Trump's White House birthday brawl

WASHINGTON – Donald Trump turned the White House into a fighting ring for his 80th birthday, hosting a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event that featured bloody matches, military salutes, and an insult aimed at former first lady Michelle Obama. The event, called UFC Freedom 250, took place on the White House grounds on June 14. Streets around the executive mansion were blocked by police vehicles and trucks. Thousands of Trump supporters gathered on the Ellipse, a park south of the White House, to watch fights on giant screens. Fighters delivered punches and kicks that split eyebrows and opened head wounds. Young women in revealing clothing walked around holding signs for each round. During the night, fighter Josh Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis. After his win, Hokit grabbed a microphone and said: "A shout-out to Trump for having the guts to organize something like this." He then added: "Michelle Obama is a man, right, America?" No one in the audience or on stage objected. Hokit later gave his championship chain to Trump, who accepted it happily. Trump watched from his seat like a Roman emperor, according to witnesses. Billionaire Elon Musk was among the guests. Trump's son, Barron Trump, sat behind his father and acted as a host, speaking with people who approached the president. The event has raised corruption concerns. A legal complaint argues that the celebration gave Dana White, UFC president and Trump ally, a national platform to promote his brand from the seat of U.S. government. Trump has supported White and UFC for decades. Trump also owns shares in TKO Holdings, UFC's parent company, according to his financial disclosures. The cost of the event was about $60 million. A White House official told ESPN that UFC is paying for everything. "No taxpayer money is being used beyond what would correspond to the usual duties and responsibilities of employees," the official said. Tickets for the Ellipse were free on UFC's website but resold for up to $400, U.S. media reported. About 85,000 people could enter the Ellipse. Inside the White House grounds, 4,300 seats were available by invitation only. Trump received 1,400 tickets, White got 300, and Ari Emanuel, CEO of TKO, got 200. Most seats went to military members, celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. Some Americans protested the event. The group CodePink organized a peace picnic in front of the White House, chanting: "They fight, we feed." Soldiers at the White House saluted each fighter as they walked to the octagon, the UFC's eight-sided ring. During a match between American Sean O'Malley and Canadian Aiemann Zahabi, the crowd chanted "USA! USA!" Someone shouted: "Canada is the 51st state!" When O'Malley won, Trump applauded and shook his hand.