Former US President Donald Trump received a standing ovation from approximately 17,000 attendees at UFC 302 in New Jersey's Prudential Center, Newark, on Saturday night, June 2, 2024. Trump was seen in the company of UFC President Dana White and officially launched his TikTok account during the event.
The ovation occurred despite Trump's recent conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records—a verdict reached by a jury on Thursday as part of a trial regarding hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president, who served from 2017 to 2020, attended the event following an introduction by fighter Sean Strickland.
During UFC 302, the crowd chanted 'USA, USA!' and 'we want Trump,' while some displayed 'Trump 2024' flags. Comedian Theo Von and NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers were also present, with Rodgers receiving applause from the audience.
Trump's presence generated significant excitement, with fans taking selfies and shaking his hand. UFC fighter Kevin Holland interacted with Trump after his match, expressing excitement over the encounter.
While Trump awaits sentencing on July 11, he is scheduled to be sentenced, facing up to four years per count, though a custodial sentence is considered unlikely. This marks the first instance of a US president being convicted of a felony, amidst ongoing legal challenges including alleged election interference and mishandling classified documents.
Additionally, Trump’s conviction has led some of his supporters to protest by displaying American flags upside down—a recognized symbol of distress. Notable figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Michael Flynn have endorsed this gesture publicly.