Former President Donald Trump’s Saturday night appearance in Las Vegas featured a cavalcade of celebrity shoulder rubbing, including quite a few figures known for bucking the prevailing corporate media narrative.
(Video: ESPN+)
Following a campaign event at Fervent – A Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, the president stood side-by-side with UFC President Dana White as the duo entered T-Mobile Arena to raucous cheers from the UFC 290 crowd.
Trump ongoing support for fighting sports was juxtaposed by commentators with White’s own support for the former president, in addition to the mixed martial arts company’s decision to remain active while other sports shutdown for COVID.
With two title fights on the main card, Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez for featherweight and Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja for flyweight, another fan of the sport and public proponent of the former president, Academy Award winner Mel Gibson, was spotted having a discussion with Trump and longtime ally Roger Stone.
Stone himself posted the images and said, “Shooting the sh*t with @realDonaldTrump and #MelGibson at the UFC fight in Vegas.”
Shooting the sh*t with @realDonaldTrump and #MelGibson at the UFC fight in Vegas pic.twitter.com/nVnwYFotfA
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) July 9, 2023
Gibson, who had been spotted saluting the former president at another event, was far from the only fight fan to come up and be seen associating with Trump despite his facing perceived political persecution from the Justice Department.
A-lister Mark Wahlberg who worked alongside Gibson for the film “Father Stu” could be seen ringside speaking into the president’s ear before quickly stepping away with a brief handshake.
Trump/Wahlberg #UFC290… pic.twitter.com/dXDqaUf6LQ
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) July 9, 2023
Far more openly documented greeting Trump was podcaster Joe Rogan who heartily shook hands at length as smiles were exchanged ringside sparking a flurry of rumors that the 2024 Republican candidate could soon make an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
President Trump Joe Rogan#UFC290 pic.twitter.com/RflCzcCk4e
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) July 9, 2023
Even one of the night’s contenders, Dricus Du Plessis who defeated Robert Whitaker in a middleweight bout, took a moment to step out of the ring to greet Trump and White earning even more cheers and applause from those in attendance.
There will never be anyone like Trump
— ALX (@alx) July 9, 2023
Despite the numerous celebrities showing favor for the president, merely being seen with the man continued to rankle progressives as demonstrated by comments directed at Food Network star Guy Fieri for briefly yucking it up with the onetime commander in chief.
“Well this is disappointing,” one user captioned images of Fieri with Trump. “I liked Guy Fieri but what this tells me about who he is on a personal level and his ethics and morals really bothers me Why would he be caught talking & smiling with trump? That’s horrible Ewww.”
Well this is disappointing
I liked Guy Fieri but what this tells me about who he is on a personal level and his ethics and morals really bothers me
Why would he be caught talking & smiling with trump? That’s horrible
Ewww pic.twitter.com/CeRcUIXJgi— Survivor Always (@MyLife4Me79) July 9, 2023
Matching the Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferers, others gleefully called out the histrionics from the left over those who had photo opportunities with the president.
“Why are people unhinged because Guy Fieri shook hands with President Trump. It speaks more to their character than it does his,” one suggested.
Why are people unhinged because Guy Fieri shook hands with President Trump. It speaks more to their character than it does his.
— What Can I say? (@Bigpicture22) July 9, 2023
I see Guy Fieri, Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson trending because they came into contact with Trump yesterday.
The weak male liberal, and RINO, spend their Saturday nights rage Tweeting.
Happy Sunday Y’all.
— GussieD- (Anne) (@Gussied71) July 9, 2023
Crowd went wild last night every time they mentioned President Trump… rarely saying “former” that’s because he the People’s President! #MAGA
President Trump chatted it up with Dana White, Rodger Stone & Mel Gibson last night at UFC fights pic.twitter.com/ABIddIUb9P
— Peach (@Gapeach_3102) July 9, 2023
President Trump at UFC.
The energy is on pic.twitter.com/7vnhRIAd03
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) July 9, 2023
Donald Trump at the UFC fights front row is why he’s so loved. It’s not the Super Bowl, it’s not the NBA Finals, it’s not Wimbledon – it’s cage fighting. Surrounded by his working class voters.
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) July 9, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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