Rosie O’Donnell offered a pointed reaction to the UFC event hosted at the White House last weekend, criticizing both President Donald Trump and many of those associated with him.
Speaking during a brief media appearance, O’Donnell did not hold back when discussing Trump’s decision to stage a UFC event on White House grounds.
“It was disgraceful and embarrassing,” she said. “And he [Donald Trump] should be ashamed of himself for doing it.”
The television personality was also asked about a UFC competitor who referred to former First Lady Michelle Obama as a man during the event. O’Donnell used the question as an opportunity to make a broader criticism of Trump and his supporters.
“Yes, and that’s exactly what Trump is,” she said. “And that’s exactly what his fans are. Racist, homophobic, un-American.”
While O’Donnell’s comments reflected one side of the reaction to the event, many within the MMA community viewed the night quite differently.
The card, held before a large crowd on the White House ellipse, delivered seven finishes by knockout or technical knockout, a feat believed to be unprecedented for a single UFC event.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani praised both the atmosphere and the effort that went into the production.
“That felt special,” Helwani said in a recent video. “That felt different. That felt unique. That felt big. It felt important.”
He credited the organizers for the event’s success, adding, “It’s because they cared so much. They put so much TLC into that event.”
Inside the cage, Justin Gaethje produced one of the biggest upsets of the night. Entering as the underdog against undefeated champion Ilia Topuria, Gaethje gradually broke his opponent down over the course of the match.
By the championship rounds, Topuria reportedly told his corner that his vision had become severely compromised. Although a cageside doctor came close to stopping the bout, the referee allowed the contest to continue.
The end came when Topuria returned to his corner and told his brother, “No mas,” signaling that he could no longer continue and surrendering his title.
Ciryl Gane also delivered a career-defining performance, stopping Alex Pereira before the Brazilian could become the first star in UFC history to win championships in three different weight classes. Pereira never found his rhythm, as Gane’s disciplined and tactical approach controlled the match from start to finish.
The event was not without controversy. Questions surfaced regarding Daniel Cormier and Eric Trump, with reports suggesting both sought inside information before placing wagers on the matches.
A weather delay pushed back the start of the card, while the lengthy opening ceremony featuring Dana White and Trump drew comparisons to a professional wrestling production. Complete with a military flyover and an arena-wide rendition of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” the spectacle received mixed reviews from viewers.
Despite the political debates and logistical criticisms, many journalists and analysts covering the sport ultimately agreed that the event succeeded on its own terms, regardless of opinions about the personalities involved.
