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France 24
France 24
Gavin LEE

Trump at 80: 'Harry Houdini' and a cage fight

Donald Trump Gavin Lee Jeffrey Sonnenfeld UFC United States Flag Day France Freedom 250 (Event) White House (Facility)
Cover image: SPOTLIGHT © FRANCE 24

US President Donald Trump turns 80 this Sunday, and the White House lawn has been transformed into a giant arena, complete with floodlights, cameras, giant Star-Spangled Banners and a 90-foot scaffold known as "The Claw", as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue hosts "Freedom 250", a celebration featuring professional UFC cage fighting.

The event combines three occasions: Trump's birthday, Flag Day – which marks the adoption of the US flag in 1777 – and the launch of celebrations leading up to the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has known Trump for 25 years and critiqued his leadership style in the best-selling book "Trump's Ten Commandments". He is also Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at the Yale School of Management and has advised five US presidents. He's been speaking to FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee.

Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Jamie Smith-Maillet and Guillaume Gougeon

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