President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he had not “heard about” an alleged plan to attack the UFC event at the White House before making a bizarre joke at the G7 Summit. “But I watched, the attack that I watched were the fighters,” Trump quipped, sparking laughter during a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
FBI Foils Alleged Attack
Trump’s comments came hours after FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau, along with law enforcement partners and the Justice Department, halted the alleged plan less than a week before Sunday’s brawl on the South Lawn. Officials told Fox News that the plan involved using explosive drones to hit buildings near the event, intending to spark evacuations and lead crowds toward a pre-positioned sniper team. The foiled plot also allegedly involved a “second wave” storming the White House gates.
Suspects in Custody
Five people have been taken into custody in connection with the alleged plot, according to Fox News. At least one suspect allegedly told investigators that “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians funded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee were the intended targets.
Trump's Joke and Response
Trump, who along with first lady Melania Trump and other allies has complained about jokes following instances of political violence against the right, built on his joke by remarking that Sheikh Mohammed also watched the UFC brawl. “He was sitting back home in his beautiful palace, and he was watching that, and they were as good a fight as I’ve ever seen,” Trump said. “The best fights,” Sheikh Mohammed replied. “The best, they were. That last fight was brutal and the two last, all of the fights were good,” Trump continued. He added, “It was all good, it was a great evening. It was very different for the White House, but I wish you could have been there. They built an incredible arena. Dana [White] did a great job.”
