Donald Trump works to project strength with UFC bout as political woes mount
Catherine Lucey
washington: US President Donald Trump is trying to display brute strength as he turns 80, but mounting political troubles at home and abroad are tarnishing his unique image as a very strong leader.
Trump will celebrate his octogenarian by hosting an extravagant US$60 million ($85 million) Ultimate Fighting Championship extravaganza on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night (Washington time).
He has made a habit of attending high-profile sporting events, including the NBA Finals in New York earlier this week. And he announced that he would lead a rally on the National Mall to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
It’s an all-out effort to inject itself into nearly every corner of American culture. But political spectacle and overseeing the body shots of mixed martial arts fighters cannot hide Trump’s diminishing political capital. He is pushing to end the unpopular war with Iran, some of his fellow Republicans have begun to resist his ideas, and polls show his support outside his loyal base is waning.
Trump has publicly expressed nothing but confidence. But he has become increasingly frustrated in his private life, according to a person close to the White House who asked to remain anonymous to discuss internal dynamics.
Some of Trump’s public appearances have revealed the depth of the public’s antipathy towards him. The crowd at Madison Square Garden loudly booed Trump during the NBA Finals game when he was shown on the arena’s big screen, but Trump reported hearing “mostly cheers.” Citing the political nature of the celebrations, he announced plans for a 250th anniversary rally only after musical acts were withdrawn from planned performances.
Moreover, as the second US president to turn 80, he faces questions about his age and abilities.
“When you hear that someone is 80 years old, you get the sense that he’s incompetent,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. “President Trump is trying to portray himself to the manosphere as someone who’s fit as a fiddle, who plays golf regularly. And he wants to show that he’s out there and at full capacity by associating himself with things like wrestling, race cars, and the Knicks game.”
The dynamic unfolds months before the November midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Democrats taking back one or both chambers could further erode Trump’s power in Washington. Republicans outside the White House are worried about the president’s election and significant midterm losses, according to the person.
The White House has publicly pushed that narrative aside and boasted that Trump remains the kingmaker in the GOP. Allies pointed out that there were two senators who lost primaries after Trump supported his rivals.
But on several occasions, Trump showed his frustration. He expressed regret for supporting a gubernatorial candidate who lost the Republican primary in Iowa. He blamed his political advisers, telling reporters on Thursday that he would have supported the other candidate “if I had been given accurate information.”
The president continues to make superior statements about his health and negotiating abilities. Trump recently shared a photo of himself on social media with the caption: “President Trump is aging in reverse!” So far he has spent little time publicly reflecting on this milestone. When asked by a reporter what he wished for his birthday, he answered: “Peace in the world.”
Trump advisers, meanwhile, have aggressively pushed back against questions about Trump’s health after his last physical. They responded to rumors that he tended to close his eyes during events by posting photos of reporters with his eyes closed on social media. “It’s 9:30 pm on a Saturday night and President Trump is still in the Oval Office working hard for the American people,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said on social media on a recent Saturday night.
“He’s a sportsman,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, insisting the UFC event was nothing more than entertainment for Trump.
“The president naturally projects his power every day by leading the most powerful country in the history of the world,” he said in a statement.
Whether intentional or not, the fight setup symbolizes Trump’s control of the White House. A massive venue called “The Claw” was built on the South Lawn, approximately 100 feet higher than the building itself, with a capacity of 4,300 guests. According to the organizers, the infrastructure of the event totals 380,000 tons. ESPN has previously reported on the logistics.
So far, Trump’s alpha male promotional tour has largely focused on issues other than the economic impact of the war in Iran. When asked about these concerns, Trump insisted that oil prices would fall if a pending deal was signed in the coming days. His public comments to reporters focused heavily on Washington renovation projects such as the resealing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Many times hip pocket issues seem like an afterthought.
“I love inflation,” Trump told reporters Wednesday when asked about new data showing inflation is at a three-year high. New York Post taken out of context.
He was cheerful when asked earlier in the week if he and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin would attend the next NBA Finals game in San Antonio. Zeldin said the White House was busy with “important work.”
To which Trump added: “It’s like war.”
The president’s approval rating has been steadily declining for months, forcing Republicans running in the midterm elections to contend with strong headwinds from unhappy voters. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 35 percent of adults approve of Trump’s performance, while 63 percent disapprove. Surveys show persistent concerns about prices and the cost of living.
“As he gets older in his second term, his job rating declines. He’s the opposite of Benjamin Button,” said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research. “He may be trying to show strength, the Americans see weakness, and he may not be delivering on what he promised – cutting costs and ending military conflicts.”
Still, Trump has made it clear that he does things his way and has surrounded himself with a team that supports his every wish. This contrasts with his early period, when his advisors at times tried to dissuade him from taking harsh action. Brinkley said he would continue to flex his muscles and move forward even if Democrats prevail in November.
“Trump will not allow himself to be perceived as a lame duck,” he said.
Trump said he knew he wouldn’t be able to run for a third term, but continued to mock the possibility. As a result, he has avoided some questions about his age, especially compared to former president Joe Biden, who had concerns about his later years after trying to run for another term after turning 80.
Trump’s overall approach to his birthday is a far cry from past presidential celebrations, which have ranged from quiet family gatherings to celebrity-filled fundraisers.
Biden celebrated his 80th birthday privately. Bill Clinton turned 50 while in office and threw a huge fundraising party at Radio City Music Hall with performances by Bon Jovi and Aretha Franklin. When Ronald Reagan turned 70, his wife Nancy surprised him with a party in the East Room attended by Frank Sinatra and other Hollywood friends.
And of course, at a fundraiser for John F. Kennedy’s 45th birthday party at Madison Square Garden, Marilyn Monroe gave him her famous serenade. Happy birthday.
Bloomberg
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