Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire after continued fighting in Lebanon threatened to derail Donald Trump's agreement with Iran. Negotiations on the next phase of that deal, due to start in Switzerland on Friday, were postponed after Iran complained that Israel's offensive breached the memorandum of understanding signed this week. The terms, perceived by many as favourable to Iran, have come under fire in the US and Israel.
The development came as the US president celebrated his 80th birthday and America's 250th birthday with a UFC event at the White House. The UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn featured a fight where Josh Hokit knocked an opponent unconscious, then draped a playing card of himself around Trump's neck. During a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Hokit shouted “Michelle Obama is a MAN!” to a euphoric crowd.
“Trump pressures Israel into Hezbollah ceasefire as he celebrates 80th with UFC brawl at White House.”
Tens of thousands of Trump supporters descended on DC for the event. Six years ago, on January 6, they had come uninvited; now they were here by invitation of the state itself. Ringside seats were occupied by Trump and UFC CEO Dana White, while others watched on giant screens at the Ellipse. Vendors sold t-shirts with slogans such as “Suck It Up, Buttercup” and “It’s No Mistake, Snowflake”. Security was tight; at one point a DEA agent intervened when a fan put his friend in a chokehold, warning him to “save it for later”.
The park was topped by the Washington Monument and tailed by the star-spangled “Claw” structure. People had flown in from Oklahoma, Ohio, and Arizona. Fights began after 8pm, with fans using a punch machine and mock broadcast desk. Soldiers from different divisions wrestled each other inside the octagon before the real fights began.