Solo dos presidentes de Estados Unidos han cumplido 80 años en el ejercicio del cargo. Joe Biden celebró el 20 de noviembre de 2022 ese rito de paso —preludio al declive que acabó con su carrera política— con una comida familiar privada en la Casa Blanca.
Donald Trump lo hará este domingo con la organización —si el pronóstico meteorológico, que da tormenta, no lo impide— de un combate de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA son sus siglas en inglés). No es la primera vez que un presidente convoca a famosos para soplar las velas: ahí están John F. Kennedy y Marilyn Monroe o Barack Obama con Stevie Wonder. Pero sí es el primero que lo hace a patadas y puñetazos.
Trump, que el año pasado montó un desfile militar en su cumpleaños, ha levantado en el jardín sur de la Casa Blanca un arco de 27 metros de altura. El corazón del invento, cuajado de logotipos comerciales y bautizado como La Garra, es una jaula octogonal en la que a partir de las 20.00 (hora local; 2.00 de la madrugada del lunes en la España peninsular) se sucederán siete peleas de MMA en otras tantas categorías de peso para las 4.300 personas sentadas en las gradas. También está previsto que unos 85.000 aficionados sigan el evento por pantallas instaladas en la Elipse. En ese parque pegado a la Casa Blanca, Trump dio el 6 de enero de 2021 el mitin que precedió al asalto al Capitolio.
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Trump cumple 80 años: ¿Sigue aplicando el manual del buen negociador que escribió a los 40?
Trump, con Ilia Topuria (izquierda) y Justin Gaethje, el pasado 6 de mayo en el Despacho Oval.
Foto: Jacquelyn Martin (AP) Por más extravagante que suene, el combate inaugura las celebraciones del 250º aniversario de la Declaración de Independencia de Estados Unidos. Antes de los fuegos artificiales del 4 de julio, el programa vivirá el 24 de junio su clímax con otro derroche de culto a la personalidad más propio de Pyongyang que de Washington: un mitin que Trump improvisó cuando empezaron a acumularse las cancelaciones de las bandas musicales convocadas a la fiesta.
Del campeón de peso ligero hispano-georgiano Ilia Topuria al estadounidense Justin Gaethje, recibidos ambos con honores en mayo en el Despacho Oval, el domingo subirán a la jaula 14 estrellas de un deporte tan violento y sobrado de testosterona como seguido globalmente por una afición en la que predominan los hombres jóvenes. Ese sector fue clave en la victoria que llevó a Trump de regreso al poder. Año y medio después, el halo invencible que lo acompañó en esa vuelta está más maltrecho que nunca, también entre esos votantes, por su impopularidad galopante, la guerra de Irán, el apoyo a Israel o la inflación.
Los 14 luchadores ofrecieron el viernes por la noche una conferencia de prensa a los pies del monumento a Lincoln que brindó otra imagen inédita en la capital estadounidense. Bajaron las escaleras flanqueados por miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas y entre los gritos de los miles de aficionados. A las preguntas de los reporteros, se faltaron al respeto, derrocharon seguridad en sí mismos y Topuria y Gaethje casi llegan a las manos.
El evento lo moderó Dana White, consejero delegado de la Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), promotora de las peleas de una disciplina que mezcla elementos de boxeo, jiu-jitsu o karate. El empresario bromeó sobre los inconvenientes de organizar una velada al aire libre una tormentosa noche de final de primavera y a la hora en la que cada día por estas fechas los mosquitos ganan todos los combates en la ciudad. La organización se ha comprometido a seguir los protocolos, que exigen que se detenga el espectáculo durante media hora si un rayo cae en un radio de ocho kilometros.
La cuenta, que asciende a unos 60 millones de dólares, la paga la UFC, salvo la parte relativa a la seguridad, en la que se implicarán siete agencias federales. Puede parecer un dineral, pero todo indica que la empresa ha gastado bien hasta el último centavo, dada la exposición global en los medios y la validación en la cultura popular estadounidense de las que disfrutará el domingo. Paramount+, plataforma propiedad de los Ellison, otros amigos de Trump, retransmitirá el espectáculo.
La UFC ha abierto una tienda efímera cerca de la Casa Blanca cuyas máquinas registradoras echaban humo el viernes con la venta de camisetas y figuritas de luchadores. Y la compañía firmó el jueves un “protocolo de entendimiento” con el secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, que el Departamento de Estado considera un hito de “diplomacia deportiva”.
Se trata de una alianza público-privada para llevar por el mundo las artes marciales mixtas como símbolo estadounidense. En la firma, Rubio hizo unas declaraciones recibidas en Washington con una mezcla de incredulidad y sorna. “Cuando Kennedy anunció que enviaríamos a un hombre a la Luna y lo traeríamos de vuelta a la Tierra sano y salvo, nadie creía que fuera posible, y lo logramos. Somos una nación fundada sobre la base de hacer aquello que nadie más se atrevía ni aspiraba a hacer. Y, en cierto m…
Read the full article at El País →📄Source document: Dana White, CEO of the UFC→10 reports
El MundoIndependent🔒Center6 days agoIn the third minute and 27 seconds of the first round, Ilia Topuria suffered a severe injury when Justin Gaethje landed an uppercut that shattered his right eye, effectively ending his chances of winning the fight. Topuria struggled with limited vision for the rest of the match and was eventually taken out of the octagon by a golf cart to an ambulance. Dana White, CEO of the UFC, described Topuria as 'destroyed' and suggested he might have sustained a fracture in his orbital bone.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of a sports event without overt political commentary or biased language. It focuses on the physical outcome of the fight and includes direct quotes from officials like Dana White, maintaining neutrality.
Official sources cited
- organisation Dana White, CEO of the UFC
ABC (España)IndependentCenter6 days agoThe article reports on a surprise defeat suffered by Ilia Topuria during a historic UFC event held in the gardens of the White House. Topuria, who entered the fight as an undefeated champion and strong favorite, was defeated by technical knockout against Justin Gaethje after his corner decided to stop the match at the end of the fourth round. The article describes how Gaethje initially withstood Topuria's best moments but gradually took control of the fight.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports event and does not involve any political content or controversy. It provides a factual account of the fight without any apparent bias or ideological framing.
El MundoIndependent🔒Center6 days ago Ilia Topuria loses the battle against Justin Gaethje in front of Donald Trump at the White House: "I am American"Ilia Topuria suffered his first loss in mixed martial arts against Justin Gaethje at the White House, where Donald Trump was celebrating his 80th birthday. The article describes Topuria's defeat as a significant moment in his career, noting factors such as his year without fighting, personal issues, and physical disadvantages. It highlights Gaethje's experience and performance during the match.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports event with no explicit political commentary or bias. It provides a descriptive account of the fight and its implications for Topuria's career without taking a stance on any political issue.
elDiario.esIndependentCenter6 days agoThe article describes a violent event involving mixed martial arts (MMA) fights held near the White House to celebrate Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The event included multiple fights with significant physical damage, and young women were present wearing minimal clothing. One participant was Ilia Topuria, a Georgian-Spanish fighter who competed against Justin Gaethje. The event took place amid heightened security around the White House.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on an event centered around sports and entertainment, specifically MMA fights, without directly addressing political issues or taking a stance on any political matter. It provides descriptive details of the event without apparent bias or ideological framing.
ABC (España)IndependentCenter7 days ago What time is the Ilia Topuria vs Gaethje fight and where to watch it online and on television at the White House for UFC Freedom 250 todayThe article provides information about the timing and where to watch the fight between Ilia Topuria and Gaethje at the UFC Freedom 250 event, which is taking place at the South Lawn of the White House. The event coincides with the 80th birthday of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bias read (Center): The article is purely informational, providing details about an upcoming sports event without any political commentary, bias, or framing that suggests a particular ideological stance.
ABC (España)IndependentCenter7 days ago UFC Freedom 250 Card: Fight order at the White House, when is the Topuria vs Gaethje fight and today's scheduleThe article announces the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, featuring a fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. It highlights Topuria's return after several months of inactivity and mentions his status as a double champion. The event is scheduled to take place in the United States.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about an upcoming sports event without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political entity or ideology. It focuses on the event details and the fighters involved, with no indication of slanted language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context.
El PaísIndependent🔒Right7 days agoThe article discusses Donald Trump's upcoming 80th birthday celebration at the White House, which includes organizing a mixed martial arts (MMA) event featuring seven fights across different weight categories. The event will take place in an octagonal cage called 'La Garra,' located in the South Lawn of the White House. It notes that this is the first time a U.S. president has celebrated their birthday with such an event, contrasting it with previous celebrations by other presidents like JFK and Obama. The article also mentions the location's historical significance, referencing the January 6,
Bias read (Right): The article frames Trump's actions in a positive light, emphasizing the novelty and spectacle of his birthday celebration while highlighting his unique approach compared to past presidents. The tone appears to celebrate Trump's initiative without critical scrutiny or balanced perspective.
infoLibreIndependentCenter8 days agoDonald Trump has ordered the construction of a large steel structure with a 600-ton arch in the South Lawn of the White House to host a mixed martial arts event on his birthday. The event will feature seven male fights, including one between Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria and American Justin Gaethje. Approximately 4,000 military personnel, the president’s family, cabinet members, congressmen, and donors will attend in person, while tens of thousands of spectators will watch via screens set up around the White House. The weigh-in ceremony will take place at the Lincoln Memorial, where a marble雕像矗
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about the event without overtly biased language or framing. It describes the event neutrally, mentioning both the construction, participants, and attendance without apparent ideological slant.
ABC (España)IndependentCenter8 days ago This is the winner of the fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at the White House, according to artificial intelligence: 'Most probable result'The article reports on a historic UFC event taking place at the White House, featuring a highly anticipated fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. It mentions that the event will take place on June 15, with an expected attendance of 4,300 people at the White House and additional screens set up in The Ellipse for spectators. The article also highlights that an AI was asked to predict the outcome of the fight, and it favored Ilia Topuria, citing his undefeated record and status as one of the most complete fighters in the UFC.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the event, including details about the fighters, the venue, and the AI prediction. It does not use biased language, does not favor one side over the other, and provides context without editorializing. The AI's prediction is presented as an opinion, not as a definitive statement.
ABC (España)IndependentCenter8 days ago Topuria is the best representative of Spain's decisive contribution to US independence on its 250th anniversaryThe article discusses the upcoming UFC event, UFC Freedom 250, which will take place at the White House to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence from Britain. It highlights the main fight between Ilia Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, and Justin Gaethje, the interim champion. The article draws a parallel between this event and the famous 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire, emphasizing the cultural significance of such events. It also notes the symbolic importance of a Spanish fighter leading the event, suggesting it align
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports event with no explicit political commentary or bias. It provides factual information about the UFC event and makes a historical comparison without taking a stance on any political issue.
Spain