Despite reports that a roster of Hollywood stars had been invited to President Donald Trump’s UFC cage fight spectacle at the White House, Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie and Tom Brady — all rumored attendees — were no-shows on Sunday night.
Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Saved By The Bell star Mario Lopez had also reportedly been invited to the mixed martial arts event by UFC president and CEO Dana White, but they were also absent at the event.
While the unprecedented event was snubbed by the A-list crowd, Mark Zuckerberg and British boxer Tyson Fury were notable names to make appearances at Trump’s 80th birthday bash.
Zuckerberg sat ringside, as did Trump’s ally David Ellison, the Paramount Skydance chief executive.
The Meta founder — who has deepened his relationship with Trump since his first term — was seen patting the president on the back as they greeted each other ringside.
Fury, the former world heavyweight champion, made an unbilled appearance, emerged from the Oval Office wearing a red and white cap that read “Donald Trump for Prime Minister.”
People sitting near President Trump included White, the first lady, Melania Trump, and Ari Emanuel, the Hollywood agent and the chief executive of TKO Group, the parent company of the U.F.C.
The UFC cage fight was staged on the White House’s south lawn, where the administration erected a ring, seating for roughly 4,500, as well as a 92-ft-tall steel cage dubbed “The Claw” to celebrate 250 years of American Independence. The event happened to coincide with the president’s birthday.
The claw was lit up in red, white and blue as troops and soldiers saluted the fighters, who performed their pre-fight ring walks from the dressing room inside the Oval Office, down the historical hallways of the White House.
Several Trump family members were spotted in the crowd, including the president’s youngest son, Barron Trump.
Trump is a close friend of Dana White, who promised the greatest card in MMA history.
The event was opened by the country music group Zac Brown Band, with the Grammy-winning frontman singing the national anthem accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band.
Several fighters heaped praise on Trump and his MAGA movement throughout the event. Fighter Bo Nickal thanked Trump for “making this happen,” adding that it “takes such a special person to have the balls to do something like this.”
The poor turnout from the Hollywood crowd marks the latest Trump-linked event in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary that has been turned down by celebrities.
Last month, several musicians pulled out of performances at the Great American State Fair after learning the event was sponsored by Freedom 250, a Trump-affiliated group.
At least six of the nine music acts set to play the Freedom 250 concert series pulled out, including Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Martina McBride.
