They came to see the Claw.The White House welcomed reporters and influencers from around the world on to the South Lawn for half an hour on Thursday to inspect the towering, clawlike superstructure that has been built there for the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout that US president Donald Trump is hosting on his 80th birthday this weekend.While the president sat inside the White House, fulminating about the war in Iran – “We will be taking Kharg Island,” he threatened online, before cancelling the plans later in the day – dozens of people wandered dazedly inside the monsterama he built out back, trying to get a sense for how Sunday’s showdown will play out. It is sure to be a night unlike any other in Washington history.Jack Posobiec, the right-wing commentator best known for spreading the “Pizzagate” paranoia, stood with a White House official next to the octagonal ring down in the nexus of the claw and looked around in awe. “It’s literally Vegas,” Posobiec said excitedly. “Vegas is in DC now!”Floodlights and security barriers around the UFC’s octagon cage on the grounds of the White House in Washington. Photograph: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
‘Freedom 250’ signage set up beside the UFC octagon cage, outside the White House in Washington. Photograph: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
