Trump Marks His 80th Birthday at the White House With a UFC Spectacle and a Peace Deal in Doubt

Donald Trump is set to become only the second person in history to turn 80 while in the White House, and he plans to celebrate in his trademark over-the-top style on Sunday, alongside America’s 250th anniversary year. Instead of a standard birthday event, he has transformed part of the White House grounds to host what he calls the “greatest sport,” a UFC Freedom 250 card staged in a temporary arena on the South Lawn.

The evening will feature seven mixed martial arts bouts, about 4,000 invited guests inside the compound, and as many as 90,000 more watching on giant screens outside. Above the ring stands a massive steel arch, nine stories high, decorated in red, white and blue. It rises over the site of “Trump’s ballroom,” a lavish project estimated at $400 million. Family members, including Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina, Eric and Lara Trump, and Ivanka and Jared Kushner, are expected to sit in the front rows.

The event has also drawn criticism. Detractors call the structure a “gaudy monster” and say turning the White House into a “blood sport” venue insults American architecture and tradition. At the same time, the White House is trying to show Trump as vigorous despite age questions. Supporters such as Senator Ted Cruz say he is “completely anti-age,” while advisers cite his late-night calls and big ambitions. A recent medical report said his heart age was 14 years younger than his chronological age, but critics point to videos that appear to show him dozing at public events, bruised hands and swollen ankles. Polling cited in the report says 61% of Americans think he has become more “erratic” with age.

The biggest drama may come away from the cage. A historic U.S.-Iran peace agreement is supposed to be signed on Trump’s birthday, and he reportedly plans to enter the UFC arena to loud applause and present it as his ultimate birthday gift. But Iranian state news agency Fars said no final decision has been made and Tehran is still reviewing the deal. If Iran delays, Trump could be left empty-handed in a live diplomatic embarrassment on his 80th birthday.