It looks from afar more UFO than UFC. Maybe it's the kind of contraption that has carried space aliens to the White House to force a meeting with America's leader. But come closer and you'll see the contours of the eight-sided cage, 30 feet (9 meters) in diameter and shaped, with careful precision, like the MMA league's signature Octagon.
That is, a STOP! sign flipped on its edge, with wire-mesh sides and padded corners fitted with different sponsors' logos: Morgan & Morgan, Bud Light, Dodge Ram, Corona Extra and others. The cage is set up on the South Lawn, ready for a birthday bash on June 14 — the day Donald Trump turns 80.
Trump declared himself in perfect health earlier this week, releasing a letter from his doctor. The party is expected to draw hundreds of guests, including UFC president Dana White, who is a close Trump ally. The former president has long been a fan of mixed martial arts and has appeared at UFC events.
The Octagon is usually reserved for professional fights, not birthday parties. But Trump's team wanted something that would stand out.
Security around the event is tight. The Secret Service has been preparing for weeks. The cage itself is a temporary structure, set to be removed after the party.
This isn't the first time Trump has mixed politics with sports. He hosted the Clemson Tigers football team at the White House in 2019. He also welcomed the 2017 national champion Alabama Crimson Tide. But an Octagon on the lawn is a first.
The party comes as Trump continues to dominate Republican politics. He's widely expected to run for president again in 2028. For now, though, he's celebrating 80 years with a cage and a crowd.
Guests will eat from food trucks serving burgers, hot dogs, and barbecue. Bud Light and Corona Extra — both sponsors of the Octagon — will be available. The cake is reportedly shaped like the Octagon, with white icing and red trim.
Expected guests include family members, former administration officials, and UFC fighters. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump are all expected to attend. Several Republican governors and members of Congress have also been invited.
The party is being paid for by Trump's political action committee, Save America. The exact cost isn't public, but similar events have run into the millions. The Octagon alone costs about $50,000 to install.
For a man who turned the presidency into a reality show, an Octagon on the White House lawn is just another day. And for the UFC, it's free advertising on the most famous lawn in the world.