Trump to Attend UFC 316 as Musk Feud Escalates/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump will attend UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, this Saturday amid a high-profile feud with Elon Musk. The former allies exchanged public jabs over Trump’s tax bill and campaign support. Trump is expected to travel Friday and return Sunday after the UFC event.
Trump, UFC & Elon Musk Feud: Quick Looks
- President Trump scheduled to attend UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 7.
- Trip coincides with intensifying feud between Trump and former MAGA ally Elon Musk.
- Musk recently criticized Trump’s tax bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.”
- Trump responded by expressing disappointment and questioning Musk’s loyalty.
- Musk claimed credit for Trump’s 2024 win, citing his financial and media support.
- The feud escalated with threats over federal contracts and unverified Epstein-related allegations.
- Trump has a history of attending UFC events, often alongside CEO Dana White.
- UFC 316 will be headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili, airing on ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET.
Deep Look: Trump’s UFC 316 Appearance Coincides with Explosive Musk Feud
President Donald Trump is set to appear at UFC 316 this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as his bitter feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk continues to dominate headlines.
According to the president’s official schedule, Trump left Washington on Friday afternoon for his New Jersey golf club and is expected to return to the White House on Sunday night. The UFC event — featuring a main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili — begins at 10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
From Friends to Foes: The Trump-Musk Rift
Once political allies, Trump and Musk have dramatically turned against each other. The clash erupted publicly this week when Musk condemned the House-passed tax bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term legislative agenda, as a “disgusting abomination.”
Two days later, Trump fired back during a June 5 press conference, declaring he was “very disappointed” in Musk and that their “great relationship” was likely over. The statement marked a significant turning point for the former friends, who were last seen together ringside at UFC 314 in Miami back in April.
In a retaliatory post on social media, Musk argued that Trump wouldn’t have secured a second term without his financial and public support. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO claimed to have invested $250,000 into Trump’s 2024 campaign and suggested Republicans would have fared worse in Congress without his influence.
Trump did not take kindly to the remarks, and tensions escalated with veiled threats about targeting Musk’s federal contracts, prompting Musk to invoke unverified claims that Trump’s name appears in Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein — a claim yet to be substantiated.
Trump’s UFC Obsession Continues
The UFC event serves not just as entertainment but as a symbol of Trump’s connection to working-class voters and culture-war appeal. UFC President Dana White, a staunch Trump ally, has welcomed the former president to past events, where Trump often receives thunderous applause from fans.
Trump’s attendance at UFC 316 reinforces his image as a leader who embraces “toughness,” a quality he often aligns with the fight world. His ongoing presence at UFC events highlights his strong ties to combat sports culture, one that has increasingly become intertwined with conservative politics.
What to Expect at UFC 316
UFC 316 promises an electric night of fights, headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili in a high-stakes bantamweight title bout. The event kicks off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
With Trump likely in the crowd, expect increased media coverage and potential political commentary during or after the event. Whether Musk will attend is uncertain — though given their current feud, a joint appearance seems unlikely.
What This Means Politically
This isn’t just a sports outing for the president. Trump’s UFC appearance serves as a distraction from legislative turbulence, including battles over his One Big Beautiful Bill and the related tariff vs. tax debate. The Musk feud may be rooted in ideology and ego, but it’s also drawing public attention away from the Senate’s scrutiny of Trump’s economic agenda.
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