‘That’s not my kind of number’: US President Donald Trump ‘not happy’ on 80th birthday

US President Donald Trump, who turned 80 on Sunday, admitted he wasn’t particularly fond of the milestone, saying it was “not a number he likes”.Just days before his birthday, Trump told Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that he was not looking forward to turning 80. “You don’t have to wish me a happy birthday because I’m not happy with my birthday,” Trump said, according to USA Today.“It’s a number I never thought too much about. It’s not a number I like, but I’m still here,” he added. The remarks were made during a conversation in the Oval Office on June 11, which was also Oz’s 66th birthday.

The White House turns into a UFC arena

However, Trump celebrated the occasion by hosting a major Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House, transforming the presidential residence into a makeshift mixed martial arts arena.The seven-fight UFC event is organized in partnership with UFC president Dana White and is tied to celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with Flag Day.In a video shared by Oz, he jokingly pointed to the giant octagon set up on the South Lawn and asked Trump what was going on behind him.“So we’re going to have a fight on June 14th, and you’re invited. I want to wish you a happy birthday. You’re a young man. You’ve got many, many more years to go. You’ve done a great job,” Trump told Oz, before adding, “You don’t have to wish me a happy birthday.”

Iran conflict overshadows celebrations

The birthday celebration comes at a challenging political moment for Trump, as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to dominate headlines.Key details of any potential deal remain unresolved, despite Trump’s repeated hints that a diplomatic breakthrough may be imminent.The celebrations were also overshadowed by a court ruling that led staff to remove Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, not far from the White House.

Comparison with Biden’s 80th birthday

Trump’s celebrations contrasted with those of former US President Joe Biden, who celebrated his 80th birthday in 2022 with a private family brunch at the White House.White House spokesperson Allison Schuster defended the UFC event, saying: “Hosting this event in people’s homes on Flag Day, our nation’s 50th anniversary, is a fitting tribute.”Trump has now surpassed Biden to become the oldest president in U.S. history. Although he is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, he continues to publicly joke about extending his political career.

Critics called the event a distraction

The event also drew criticism from some observers, who said it distracted from issues such as the Iran conflict, inflation concerns and falling approval ratings.According to the Associated Press, Mike Fontaine compared the spectacle to gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. “It’s all distractions,” Fontaine said. “It’s a classic strategy. In ancient Rome, the saying was ‘bread and circuses.'”While Trump said the UFC was footing the bill, court documents filed by the National Park Service reportedly showed more than $60 million and tens of thousands of man-hours spent on preparations, with multiple federal agencies also involved.To add insult to injury, the UFC announced that World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company with ties to the Trump family, would provide a special prize pool of $250,000 to the winning fighter that night.