On Saturday, former President Donald Trump attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 287 mixed martial arts event, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Just days after pleading not guilty to criminal charges, Trump received a warm welcome when he showed up at the Center.
Social media videos posted, showed Trump walking through the Kaseya Center, packed with cheering attendees. Trump himself is a fan of UFC, attending various fights over the years. Trump stood up at one point, and waved and the crowd broke into chants of “U-S-A.”
Reportedly, beside the Octagon, Trump sat next to rock star Kid Rock, former world heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson, and UFC President Dana White. A very glowing thumbs-up picture of the four has been widely circulated on social media.
Further, Jorge Masvidal, UFC star fighter, who lost his fight and announced his retirement, gave a shout-out to Trump. Prompting another round of cheers, Masvidal said-
“I want to say — greatest president in the history of the world sitting right there,” …“I love that guy!”
-UFC Star Fighter Jorge Masvida
Masvidal also praised Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to compete for the presidency in 2024 against Trump. Masvidal said before leading a “Let’s Go Brandon” chant, which has become a rallying call against President Joe Biden -
“We also got the greatest governor of all time here in Florida. Let’s keep Florida free — a red state,”
--UFC Star Fighter Jorge Masvida
Trump, not a lifelong politician, but a longtime celebrity businessman, announced in Mid-November of 2022, that he would be campaigning again for the presidency. He could be up for a rematch against Biden, if he wins the GOP nomination. Biden has said he intends to run for a second term but has yet to formally declare a bid.
Generally hovering at the top of 2024 Republican primary polls for months, Trumps numbers appear to have recently seen a boost. This increase in support can be directly attributed to becoming the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. Reportedly, he has also seen an increase in campaign volunteers, in the thousands, as well as an increase in millions, donated towards his campaign bid for the White House in 2024.
Travelling to New York last week, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, as part of what Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleged to be a “catch-and-kill” scheme to influence the 2016 election. The case has received much criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, as well as vast numbers of legal scholars. Further the case is being prosecuted by Soros- backed, Democrat, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who campaigned on the promised that he would quote “get Trump”.
Not the only “witch hunt”, as Trump calls them, that he is facing, two other investigations that may pose legal jeopardy to Trump, include a 2020 election inquiry led by Georgia’s Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, and the federal probe commandeered by special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump, whose bold persona, that often runs against the status quo, broadly denies any wrongdoing and claims politically motivated prosecutors are targeting him. He said in a recent speech regarding this indictment and the other investigations –
“the only crime I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it”
-Former President Donald Trump
Here’s to Trump and the men and women, who have and will continue to stand up tall, proud and unswerving-
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing”
-Edmund Burke