«Panem et circenses», literally from the Latin, bread and circus games, or one famous phrase with which the Roman poet Juvenal summarizes the political strategy of social control and mass consensus based on the free distribution of food and the organization of public shows. Yesterday for his eightieth birthday Trump changed it, but it was a little: “Bread and beatings (blind men), on the lawn of the White House.” In fact, scenes arriving from Washington on the night between 14 and 15 June are (un)worthy of “Gladiator”, with a polished Donald Trump for an evening designed not only to promote a moment of sport, but above all for personal propaganda. Just as a Roman emperor welcomed his gladiators in the Colosseum, so Trump did with the fighters who fought in the octagon located in the White House park. The evening was made up of seven matches, played under the eyes of some of the most influential personalities in the American world such as Mark Zuckenberg – the founder of Facebook is often present at UFC-e events David Ellisonhead of Paramount and Gerry Cardinale, owner of Milan.
The name chosen for last night’s card is emblematic: UFC Freedom 250. In addition to celebrating his birthday, Trump wanted the reference to the 250th anniversary of American independence. And in fact, since Friday, when the athletes’ press conferences took place, the stars and stripes flag was practically everywhere: from the physical flags that dotted the White Houseup to the graphics of the televisions that followed the event.
Twelve jets paraded above the heads of those who managed to grab a historic ticket, while “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung in the center of the octagon and Donald Trump made his triumphal entrance, with at his side Dana White, CEO of UFC.
The fighters paraded through the Oval Office, then down a staircase full of US flags, before reaching the center of the ring. They did their best to represent the USA Bo Nickal, Sean O’Malley, Josh Hokit and Justin Gaethje. The last two especially stole the show and will certainly have stirred the President’s spirit. Gaethje because he accomplished a real feat by defeating Ilia Topuriachampion with a record of 17 wins and zero losses (until last night), winning the lightweight title. The heavyweight Hokit, on the other hand, was the protagonist for an unfortunate and absolutely avoidable exit, when at the end of his match – won – against Derrick Lewis he joked with Trump claiming that Michelle Obama is a man and then putting a chain around the President’s neck.
UFC Freedom 250 is not just an evening of sports: it was a calculated move to work on the image of the newly octogenarian. With the polls showing that Trump is in difficulty, the President has chosen the language he knows best: entertainment. Eighty years celebrated with military jets, stars and stripes everywhere and real fists in the octagon. A simple, visceral message, designed for his electorate: Trump is still strength, still America. Boxing and mixed martial arts have always had this evocative ability – they enhance individual courage, toughness, clear victory. Using them as a presidential backdrop, in the garden of the White House, is propaganda in its oldest form: the power and might shown through warriors.
