President-elect Trump thanked UFC president Dana White and battled fans for welcoming him to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
“THANKS TO DANA THE GREAT WHITE ONE AGAIN #UFC309!” he wrote in a post on X and Truth Social along with a video of himself and his Cabinet nominees.
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President-elect Trump arrives during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 16, 2024. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
Trump entered the “Most Famous Stadium in the World” and sang. He was flanked by White, his children, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Kid Rock. He shook hands with Jelly Roll, hugged Joe Rogan and sat next to Elon Musk.
“If the people at home couldn’t hear the noise in this room right now. Rogan said on pay radio. “It’s always loud when he comes in but now he’s won [the election]since he has become president again, oh my God!”
The announcer added that those who could stand inside the arena did so as the video board began playing a video montage of Trump’s arrival. Chants of “USA! USA!” also filled the stadium.
Several soldiers paid tribute to Trump during the night, including Jon Jones and Bo Nickal.
TRUMP SURPRISED BY HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BO NICKAL AND PAUL CRAIG, UFC PRESIDENT DANA WHITE SAYS
President-elect Trump, Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr. watch the fight during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)
White was asked after the event if another Trump administration would end up being good for the UFC business.
“I think it’s good that the world is honest with you,” White said, via MMA Fighting. “Regardless of which political side you sit on, you cannot deny that there is a weight almost like the one that has been removed from the country right now and this sigh of relief.
“Things are just getting better. He’s not there yet.”
White added that he’s seen a change in vibe even in New York and compared Saturday night to what he’s felt in the past.
“Like I said before, I can feel the difference,” said White. “When I go to places like New York which is usually crazy and people run up to me and thank me and say… it feels like New York again.
People hold a flag as President-elect Trump arrives at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“One down, one gone. (Los Angeles) – let’s bring LA back.”
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Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago after the war.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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