Donald J. Trump hosts UFC champion Justin Gaethje at the Oval Office
celebrated the lightweight champion's title victory, calling it one of the highest-rated fights in television history.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J. Trump welcomed UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to the Oval Office on a Truth Social post on July 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “Justin Gaethje came to the Oval Office to celebrate, with his parents, his Great Victory two weeks ago. It was one of the Highest Rated Fights in the History of Television, and what a Fight it was! Great Honor to see The Champ – He beat another truly Great Fighter who had never lost before. Donald J. Trump”
Trump praised Gaethje for defeating “another truly Great Fighter who had never lost before,” a reference to Ilia Topuria, who entered the bout as the undefeated lightweight champion. The president called it one of the highest-rated fights in television history and described the visit as a “Great Honor.”
Gaethje, 37, earned the UFC undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June when he stopped Topuria, who had been favored to retain the belt (see yardbarker.com). The victory capped one of the sport’s great comeback stories after Gaethje had lost three prior championship fights (see boxingnews.com). MMA Fighting named him its Fighter of the Midyear for 2026 following the performance (see boxingnews.com).
Gaethje brought his parents to the White House for the celebration, underscoring the personal nature of the visit. Trump has a long history of engagement with combat sports figures, having hosted UFC events at his properties and maintained a public relationship with UFC President Dana White.
The fighter held onto belief throughout his career that he could capture an undisputed UFC title despite repeated setbacks in championship bouts (see boxingnews.com). His knockout of Topuria at UFC 300 rival Max Holloway had produced one of the sport’s most iconic moments in 2024, but Gaethje rebuilt his career to reach the title once more (see yardbarker.com).
Trump has posted 508 times on Truth Social in the last 30 days, with 138 of those posts falling outside specific policy or political categories.
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on July 3, 2026 at 3:09 PM EST