Donald Trump made a significant appearance at UFC 302, where he received an enthusiastic ovation from the fans at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night. The event featured Dustin Poirier challenging for Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship. Trump’s presence was a highlight for many in the crowd as he walked into the arena accompanied by UFC president Dana White. He also took a moment to greet comedian Theo Von, shook hands with some fans, and waved to the crowd.
Trump took his seat just outside the UFC Octagon, ready to enjoy the main card. This appearance came shortly after he was found guilty on all counts in a controversial New York criminal trial. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts and continues to assert his innocence.
“The trial was a disgrace, rigged by a corrupt and conflicted judge,” Trump stated afterward. “We were denied a venue change despite having minimal support in this district. This was a disgraceful and biased trial.” He emphasized that the “real verdict” would come on November 5th, referring to the upcoming presidential election.
Trump didn’t mince words about the political motivations behind the charges, pointing out the influence of a “Soros-backed DA.” He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the country and the Constitution, declaring, “We didn’t do anything wrong. I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution. Our whole country is being rigged right now.”
He accused the Biden administration of orchestrating the case to damage a political opponent. “This case was done by the Biden administration to wound or hurt a political opponent,” Trump said. “It’s a disgrace, but we’ll keep fighting. We’ll fight till the end and we’ll win because our country’s in serious decline.”
Trump painted a stark picture of the current state of the nation, highlighting issues with immigration and national security. “Millions of people are pouring into our country from prisons, mental institutions, and terrorist backgrounds. They’re taking over our country. We are in big trouble,” he asserted. He criticized the judicial process, saying, “This was a rigged decision from day one, with a conflicted judge who should never have tried this case. We will fight for our Constitution. This is far from over.”
Trump’s frequent appearances at UFC events underscore his close friendship with Dana White, who notably spoke in favor of Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention. This camaraderie and public support continue to energize his base and amplify his presence in the political arena.