US President Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday with a mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House, featuring a UFC-style cage-fighting event drawing thousands of spectators and senior officials.

The spectacle, staged under a temporary arena dubbed “The Claw,” is expected to host more than 4,000 guests, with additional crowds viewing on large screens nearby.

The programme includes seven fights running late into the night.

The spectacle comes as Trump faces ongoing political and international pressures, including a protracted conflict in Iran, where negotiations toward a possible settlement remain incomplete.

Weather disruptions have also raised concerns, after thunderstorms affected related promotional events earlier in the week.

Trump has linked the celebration to broader commemorations of the 250th anniversary of US independence.

However, critics have described the event as a personal showcase, especially as it was scheduled to allow the president to attend before travelling to France for a G7 summit, which was rescheduled to accommodate his appearance.

The White House has defended the event as a major public celebration, calling it “one of the most entertaining nights in American history” and a fitting tribute during national anniversary observances.

The occasion also comes amid renewed debate over Trump’s age and fitness for office.

A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll found fewer than half of Americans believe he is in good mental and physical health, though the White House has rejected such concerns, citing statements from his physicians that he remains in “excellent health.”

Trump is the oldest person ever elected US president and has continued to suggest he may remain politically active beyond his current term, despite constitutional limits preventing another run.

Supporters of the event say it reflects Trump’s long-standing affinity for spectacle and combative politics, while critics argue it risks blurring governance with entertainment.

The UFC has described the event as a landmark production, with organisers claiming substantial resources and government coordination have gone into staging the South Lawn arena.

Some reports have also highlighted commercial partnerships linked to Trump family-affiliated business interests, adding to scrutiny over ethics and influence.

Despite criticism, White House officials say the celebration will proceed as planned, weather permitting.