Trump gets hero’s welcome at UFC 316 amid political break from Musk feud

Newark

Former U.S. President Donald Trump received a raucous standing ovation at UFC 316 on Saturday night, as he arrived at the Prudential Center in New Jersey to attend the championship card, momentarily pausing his ongoing public spat with tech billionaire Elon Musk. Escorted by UFC President Dana White, Trump made his way to cage side seats while Kid Rock’s American Bad Ass blared across the arena. This marked a repeat of his appearance at UFC’s November card at Madison Square Garden, where he was joined by both White and Musk. This time, however, Musk was absent, as tensions between the two continue to make headlines.

Trump’s entourage included his daughter Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, son Eric Trump, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As he walked past the crowd, Trump greeted fans and shook hands with UFC icons and celebrities, including retired boxing legend Mike Tyson. He also acknowledged the UFC broadcast team, exchanging handshakes with Joe Rogan, who had previously hosted Trump on his podcast during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Known for his longtime support of mixed martial arts, Trump was in place for a night of high-stakes action featuring two title fights. In the first bout following his arrival, Kevin Holland defeated Vicente Luque via submission, climbing the cage to shake hands with Trump and briefly chat with both Trump and White before his post-fight interview. UFC fans cheered wildly, many scrambling to capture the moment with their phones, reflecting the enduring spectacle Trump brings to any arena he enters.