President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were ringside at a UFC event in Miami on Saturday night, soaking in the action as peace negotiations with Iran collapsed halfway across the globe.
Trump entered the Kaseya Center just after 9 p.m., flanked by family members and UFC CEO Dana White. White has been a staunch Trump supporter since the president’s first term.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Trump made his way to his seat. Kid Rock blasted over the speakers, setting the tone for a raucous evening.
Seated nearby were Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, rapper Vanilla Ice, and former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino.
Trump shook hands with fans, smiled for cameras, and greeted the UFC broadcast team, which included influential podcaster Joe Rogan.
Despite sagging approval ratings and public discontent over the war with Iran, Trump received a thunderous welcome from the Miami audience.
As Trump focused on the fights, Vice President JD Vance was in Pakistan telling reporters that peace talks with Iran had failed.
Trump showed no outward signs of concern over the Middle East conflict. He was locked in on the fighters in the cage, though he occasionally leaned over to chat with Rubio.
At one point, Rubio appeared to show Trump something on his phone.
After Paulo Costa defeated Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event, Costa walked over to shake the president’s hand.
Trump was captivated by a particularly bloody bout between Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes, who traded heavy blows throughout the fight.
Three of Trump’s children—Ivanka, Tiffany, and Donald Jr.—were in attendance. Ivanka’s husband, Jared Kushner, was with Vance in Pakistan for the failed talks.
Trump has long been a UFC supporter. The promotion has helped him build popularity among its young, male fan base.
The president has announced a UFC event at the White House this summer to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary. It will take place on June 14, Trump’s 80th birthday.
After Saturday’s event, White said a fight involving Hokit had been added to the June card at Trump’s request.
“President Trump built half of that fight, Rogan built the other half,” White said in a social media video. “Both guys have agreed and accepted the fight.”
Vance told the media he had spoken to Trump at least half a dozen times during the Iran talks.
The vice president said a major stumbling block was Iran’s refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions.
“We need to see an affirmative commitment that [Iran] will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. “That is the core goal of the president of the United States, and that’s what we’ve tried to achieve through these negotiations.”
