Donald’s 80th Birthday Event

I thought the cage fighting thing was a joke at first, should have known better …

It's actually a very skilled sport, covering many martial arts.

I can't speak for what Trump's party will be like, though.
Anything with him around is bound to be tasteless.

MissAdventure

Our own royals were always quite the fans of blood sports.
That's if it's "sport" when it's not byween willing, evenly matched participants.

Yes, they were! Horrible. However, it was an indulgence rather than a spectacle to entertain the masses.

I believe, from what I've read so far, that cage-fighting has cleaned up its act and it's now more of a display of martial-arts prowess. It was once banned in some States but that's no longer the case, so I think it's come into the main-stream field of 'sports entertainment'. It would bore me to great yawning sobs, but then I'm not its target audience.

What with that and the high-speed street race, it's going to be quite a macho affair, but there will also be the month-long Smithsonian Festival and an international tall-ships flotilla, plus the State Fair - and a massive firework display (among many other events) - so there will be something for every American.

I really can’t think of anything more distasteful to do for a birthday treat than to watch cage fighting.

He does let himself down, doesn’t he?

I’m sure his wife has the good sense to stay well clear.

Our own royals were always quite the fans of blood sports.
That's if it's "sport" when it's not byween willing, evenly matched participants.

Typical Trump !! Sums him up .

Oh, thats right. Its about votes, not morals. I see where its going. Shame on your masculinity if you cant vote for someone who gives you blood sports on the WH lawn.

How does a leader explain to a five year old child that they should embrace this as a sport and should be entertained by the violence. Human cockfighting in a cage shows american values? What will these little boys be practicing after this show?

Magenta8

I stand corrected. I had seen pictures of cage fights where the women were in little bikinis. These women will be in costumes that are low cut, tight, short but not too revealing.

Well, I assume those are the costumes they will be wearing - but who knows, they might change half way through the event.

I still don't think cage-fighting represents America's 'fighting' spirit, but what do I know about such matters really!

AI's take when I asked it for the American public's reaction is:

A Divided Spectacle: The decision to host UFC Freedom 250 at the White House has polarized the public. Critics view a $60 million blood-sport spectacle on the presidential lawn as gaudy or "kitschy". Conversely, supporters view it as a thrilling celebration of American grit and entertainment culture.

The "Niche" Blockbuster: While it brings in massive revenue, it does not have the universal, multi-generational family appeal of the NFL (American football) or NBA (basketball). Its core demographic leans heavily toward younger males.

"Its core demographic leans heavily toward younger males"... maybe it was young Barron's idea?

There's also going to be a high-speed street race featuring sports cars tearing directly through the streets of Washington, D.C., and around the National Mall

But I suspect the World's Largest Fireworks Display will have massive intergenerational appeal, and is definitely family-fun!

Rain is forecast. Possibly thunderstorms.
That should dilute the intense humidity.
And then there are the bugs.
Such fun.

Dickens

Magenta8

I have just read that there will also be The Octagon Girls who are girls in their teens and early twenties who will be parading round in very skimpy costumes based on the flag of the USA. Classy!

I believe these are the outfits/costumes... not too skimpy?

I guess it's so very different from the way we do these kinds of events. In the USA, it's all about razzmataz whereas we understate, I think.

pbs.twimg.com/media/HKeoPLMXEAAFbdn.jpg

I stand corrected. I had seen pictures of cage fights where the women were in little bikinis. These women will be in costumes that are low cut, tight, short but not too revealing.

I don't think Trooping the Colour could be described as "understatement" but I do take your point about razzmatazz.

Mrs Trump is often busy elsewhere, I understand.

Magenta8

Trump has stated that the (all male) cage fighting celebration of his 80th birthday and USA's 250th anniversary is a tribute to "America's fighting spirit."

This from the man who dodged the draft five times.

Fighting isn't a good quality methinks.

These are the models/women who walk round the cages (octagons) holding up the number of the next stage of the fight.

I don't think they will do any dancing.

Yes Dickens exactly like the old F1 models draped on cars. Surely game/match info - such as the next or last stage works in football, tennis and baseball for example no need for anyone to do this anymore.

I wonder what Mrs. Trump thinks of it all?

Wyllow3

That is quite gross: they are like painted dolls to please men. Misogyny kicks in - these are his infantile fantasy creatures.

Don't they have the Cheerleaders, Pom Squads, etc at sporting events too, over there?

Formula One used to have the 'grid girls' but eventually this was abandoned. In the days of Michael Shumacher, I was an F1 fan, but these girls parading around used to irritate me because it was so sexist - the principle that young women were only good for decoration, not the serious stuff of actually motor-racing.

But, as long as women collude in their own role as 'decoration' rather than participant - and they do - this tradition will continue.

I'm not in the least surprised that these 'showgirls' will be prancing around for the 250th anniversary...

He is the weirdest man. What next ? Gladiators and lions ? He would have been about right in those times , maybe Goliath?

That is quite gross: they are like painted dolls to please men. Misogyny kicks in - these are his infantile fantasy creatures.

Magenta8

I have just read that there will also be The Octagon Girls who are girls in their teens and early twenties who will be parading round in very skimpy costumes based on the flag of the USA. Classy!

I believe these are the outfits/costumes... not too skimpy?

I guess it's so very different from the way we do these kinds of events. In the USA, it's all about razzmataz whereas we understate, I think.

pbs.twimg.com/media/HKeoPLMXEAAFbdn.jpg

I have just read that there will also be The Octagon Girls who are girls in their teens and early twenties who will be parading round in very skimpy costumes based on the flag of the USA. Classy!

I like cage fighting.
Not doing it; watching it.
Not very dignified, though, for the orange man.

Magenta8

Trump has stated that the (all male) cage fighting celebration of his 80th birthday and USA's 250th anniversary is a tribute to "America's fighting spirit."

This from the man who dodged the draft five times.

This from the man who dodged the draft five times.

And who has, allegedly, made some very disrespectful and spiteful comments about some who did serve their country.

I don't think "America's Fighting Spirit" means what he thinks it means...

Those who join the armed forces appear to be proud to serve their country. Not sure that's the spirit behind cage-fighting - but maybe it's changed from the initial no-holds-barred spectacle it used to be in its infancy and will be simply a fine demonstration of martial-arts skills?

I think I prefer the Trooping of the Colour.

Trump has stated that the (all male) cage fighting celebration of his 80th birthday and USA's 250th anniversary is a tribute to "America's fighting spirit."

This from the man who dodged the draft five times.

I will be eighty next Friday. We are hoping to organise a trip to Kew in the school holidays to see the Henry Moores.

Oh Sarnia you did make me laugh 😹

A very happy birthday Shysal for Monday. 🥳

One of my closest friends is 80 on Tuesday.

I can’t imagine I will reach 80 in September. I don’t want to be an old person. My friend will be 100 in November and has all her faculties other than being a bit wobbly.