BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP
Dwayne Johnson is one of the celebrities invited to Donald Trump’s birthday who chose to decline the invitation to the MMA gala organized.
• Dwayne Johnson, Jared Leto, Adam Sandler et Mario Lopez ont décliné l’invitation, selon Vanity Fair.
• The event will include light heavyweight and heavyweight fights, with a budget of $60 million.
Guess who’s not coming to dinner? On June 14, the White House saw things very big for Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. As part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States, an MMA gala, the « UFC Freedom 250 », will take place on the lawn. A number of film stars and celebrities have been invited, but few should ultimately be there.
For several weeks, there has been excitement in Washington, in preparation for the event of the year: theUFC Freedom 250. The cage, the giant octagon, as well as the stands that can accommodate 4,500 people are being assembled, as well as the giant screen which will allow other spectators to follow the fights from the adjacent Ellipse park. On that side, things work. But according to our colleagues at Vanity fairit’s the guest list that begins to raise questions. Indeed, the magazine claims that many celebrities preferred to decline the invitation.
Among the big names mentioned in the very VIP guest list of the event by the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Dana White, there is obviously the actor and former wrestling champion Dwayne Johnson, but also the actors Adam Sandler, Jared Leto, Mario Lopez and Jason Statham, the director Guy Ritchie, and even the former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Vanity Fair reports that Dwayne Johnson, Jared Leto, Adam Sandler and Mario Lopez have already announced that they will not be present on June 14 in Washington. We therefore still do not know which stars, probably close to Trump and the MAGA clan, will be present at the event.
L’UFC Freedom 250Â scheduled for June 14 and created with a budget of approximately 60 million dollars as specified The Teamwill offer spectators several matches. On the heavyweight side, spectators will be able to follow the meeting between the Frenchman Ciryl Gane and the Brazilian Alex Pereira. The main match will see the Spaniard Ilia Topuria, current champion, and the American Justin Gaethje compete in the lightweight category.
The mixed festivities
If Hollywood chooses to completely ignore the event, it would be another setback for Donald Trump, but not necessarily a surprise. In fact, a few days ago, Donald Trump had to change his plans regarding another event scheduled for June 24. A large concert was to be held there, still as part of the celebrations linked to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Of the nine artists scheduled, five ultimately announced they were withdrawing from the bill: Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day and The Time and The Commodores. They highlighted the politicization of the event with which they did not agree.
Instead of a concert, spectators will be able to attend a giant political meeting since Donald Trump has chosen to replace this concert with a speech by political figures and obviously, himself. On the menu for the rest of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States: the largest “block party” ever organized, a giant block party across the entire country on July 3 and 4. That promises.
