President-elect Donald Trump made a triumphant return to New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday night for UFC 309, weeks after his controversial rally at the arena that saw comedian Tony Hinchcliffe refer to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”
The crowd welcomed Trump with a raucous ovation on Saturday as he walked to his seat alongside UFC President Dana White. The crowd chanted “USA! USA!” as Kid Rock’s “American Badass” played over the stadium’s speakers.
“If people at home could hear the sound in this room right now. It is so loud,” broadcaster Joe Rogan, who endorsed Trump’s campaign on his podcast, said. “It’s always loud when he comes in, but now that he’s won, now that he’s the president again, oh my God!”
Trump, a New York native, appeared in good spirits throughout the event. He pumped his fists and danced to music before UFC officials aired a video package honoring the newly elected Republican. The presentation, which described the president’s return to the White House as “the great comeback in American history,” elicited more cheers from the audience.
Several members of Trump’s project Cabinet joined him on Saturday to watch Jon Jones successfully defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.
The star-studded guest list included tech billionaire Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr., former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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