Ivanka Trump shared photos online Monday showing what appeared to be a jubilant gathering of the Trump family during President Donald Trump’s UFC-themed birthday celebration at the White House on Sunday.
In one image posted to social media, the president is surrounded by all four of his children inside the Octagon after the fights concluded in the early hours of the morning.
Trump is seen wearing a blue suit and a “USA” baseball cap, giving a thumbs-up beside First Lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump. Melania wore a black Dolce & Gabbana dress paired with pumps for the event.
Several other members of the extended Trump family also attended, including Donald Trump Jr. and his new wife, Bettina Trump; Eric and Lara Trump with their daughter, Carolina; Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos; granddaughter Kai Trump; and grandson Theo Kushner.
Another photo shared by Ivanka captured the family posing with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. In that image, Ivanka’s son Joseph is seen holding one of the championship belts.
According to the post, Ivanka Trump helped organize the celebration alongside UFC CEO Dana White as part of festivities tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
Members of the Trump family then got some of the best seats in the house, with Barron perched right behind his mother and father.
Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, also attended the celebration and was positioned in the audience close to his daughter.
Ivanka Trump shared photos from her father’s UFC birthday celebration on social media
One of the photos showed the family posing with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje
Vice President JD Vance, who celebrated his wedding anniversary Sunday, also got a spot near the Octagon, where the action takes place.
Trump has long been close with UFC CEO Dana White – who introduced the President at the 2024 Republican National Convention – so he allowed him to host the first-ever professional sporting event on the White House property.
A huge swath of the South Lawn was covered by the ‘Claw,’ with dressing rooms for the ‘Octagon Girls’ tucked a floor underneath.
But the celebrations were roiled when UFC fighter Joe Hokit announced to the crowd, ‘Michelle Obama is a man.’
CNN reported that Trump was spotted showing a ‘half-smile’ after Hokit made the remark, as a mixture of cheers and boos was heard at the Freedom250 event.
The openly partisan and insulting comment delivered at an event meant to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary has drawn widespread condemnation.
Speaking with Time Magazine, UFC CEO White said: ‘I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families.
‘Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.’
President Donald Trump (left) and First Lady Melania Trump (right) held hands as they departed Sunday night’s UFC Freedom 250 held on the President’s 80th birthday
Trump has long been close with UFC CEO Dana White – who introduced the President at the 2024 Republican National Convention
Trump gave a salute as he took in the UFC White House event alongside First Lady Melania Trump (front row, right)
First Son Eric Trump also faced backlash on Monday after ‘fake’ leaked messages between him and former fighter Daniel Cormier asking if any of the White House fights were ‘rigged’ went viral.
The controversy started when former fighter Daniel Cormier’s X account posted messages that appeared to be from President Trump’s middle son.
In the supposed correspondence, Eric Trump asked if any of the fighters appearing at the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House’s South Lawn were injured, or if Cormier planned to place any bets. It immediately sparked rampant ‘cheating’ concerns on social media.
‘I’m probably going to get a lot of flak for bringing this to light, however I refuse to stay silent,’ Cormier wrote in a caption posted with screengrabs of Eric Trump’s supposed messages.
‘The UFC is a sport that I am deeply passionate about. I will not tolerate this type of insider behavior. Shame on anyone trying to ruin this beautiful event.’
The one-time fighter has since deleted the post and told DC-based journalist Nicholas Ballasy that his account had been hacked.
Daniel Cormier (left) alongside podcaster Joe Rogan (right) at the UFC Freedom 250 event Sunday night on the White House’s South Lawn. Cormier has said the Eric Trump messages he received were fake and a result of a hack
‘They’re not real,’ Cormier said of the Eric Trump posts. ‘I can’t believe you guys believed that, like, who believes something like that?’
‘I got hacked or something,’ Cormier added, talking to Ballasy as he departed the White House at the conclusion of the UFC event early Monday morning.
The journalist then asked, ‘So you didn’t post it?’
‘Why would I do that?’ Cormier said, getting into his car.
Cormier posted a similar sentiment on his X account.
On his own social media accounts, Eric Trump made clear the messages were bogus.
‘This is completely fake! I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary,’ he posted Sunday night as the fights were getting underway.
