Sawt Falasteen - Blood sport at the White House for Trump's 80th birthday

In unprecedented scenes in the revered seat of American democracy, Trump sat with thousands of fans as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) combatants beat each other to a pulp.

As the event played out on the South Lawn, Trump was also basking in the glow of a peace deal with Iran that he had announced just hours earlier.

Critics have derided the cage fight as a tacky debasement of the White House by a former reality TV show host who has repeatedly shattered norms during his time as president.

But Trump and the 4,000 spectators and US military members gathered in the specially made "Claw" stadium reveled in the raw display of brutality.

A series of UFC fighters paid tribute to the president after winning, in the style of Roman gladiators, with two of them hailing him for having the "balls" to stage the fight.

One of them, Josh Hokit, launched into an astonishing attack on a former first lady, shouting into the microphone in front of Trump: "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right America?"

There has also been criticism of the commercialization of the event in the home of American democracy, with sponsors including Bud Light beer and betting firm Polymarket having their logos emblazoned on the ring.

- 'Bit of selfishness' -

Trump, a long-time mixed martial arts fan, walked out of the Oval Office and along the famed West Wing colonnade alongside UFC boss Dana White at the start of the evening.

The pair stood on the Truman balcony for the national anthem and a flyover by 12 military jets. A B-1 bomber made a noisy flyover later in the evening.

The musclebound fighters emerged from the White House for their bouts, walking through storied rooms and then onto the same balcony before heading for the ring.

The fighting itself took place in a giant arena dubbed "The Claw", standing taller than the White House itself, with Trump and wife Melania sitting next to the cage, called the "Octagon."

The "UFC Freedom 250" event is supposed to kick off this year's festivities for the 250th anniversary of US independence.

It also happens to fall not only on the US public holiday of Flag Day, but on the same day that Trump enters his ninth decade.

The billionaire president has also faced criticism for staging the event as US consumers are still struggling to deal with the economic fallout from the Iran war.

Fans among the thousands of people gathered to watch the violent extravaganza on a giant screen on the Ellipse outside the White House defended the event.

"I do think maybe it's like a little bit of selfishness, but he is the leader, so he has a say," Nyles Rife, a 35-year-old sports performance coach from Virginia, told AFP.

- Health issues -

Mark Toone, a 50-year-old US Marine Corps veteran, said the fight was "totally emblematic and representative of American culture."

The White House says the UFC is bearing the entire $60 million cost of the event.

Trump, who has deep ties with a sport whose young male fans reflect his own political base, has touted the UFC event as a unique spectacle.

"This is going to be an event you're really gonna like," Trump said as he hosted some of the fighters in the Oval Office in May.

Celebrations over the Iran deal appeared to be underway, with US Vice President JD Vance, who played a key role in negotiations, embracing Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the crowd.

Trump was seen talking to Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, while Paramount boss and Trump ally David Ellison's presence reflected how his media empire gained exclusive rights to broadcast the event.

The spectacle has meanwhile distracted from questions about Trump's health as he ages.

Trump loves to compare his virility to Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who also turned 80 in office, but was forced to drop his bid for a second term after a disastrous debate with the Republican.

But from bruised hands to a vein condition in his legs and apparent sleepiness in meetings, Trump has also had a number of issues, even though his doctor says he's in excellent health.

Z.Ramadan--SF-PST