Donald Trump, the UFC, and the Epstein Information had been talked about on the latest ESPY Awards. Comic Shane Gillis set the tone for the 2025 ESPY Awards final evening with a gap monologue that drew widespread consideration for its inclusion of references to the UFC, former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Jeffrey Epstein.
Shane Gillis on the ESPYs
Shane Gillis launched into the monologue, addressing Donald Trump’s seen presence at numerous sporting occasions in recent times, joking that Trump “needed to prepare a UFC match on the White Home garden.” The comic then linked this to former Vice President Mike Pence by recalling the occasions surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot.
Gillis stated:
“The final time [Trump] staged a struggle in D.C., Mike Pence nearly died.”
He continued by referencing Jeffrey Epstein, whose demise and the secrecy surrounding the checklist of his associates have remained the topic of ongoing public hypothesis and quite a few conspiracy theories. Gillis addressed the delicate matter with a deliberate nod at this controversy:
“Really, there was speculated to be an Epstein joke right here, however I assume it bought deleted. In all probability deleted itself, proper? In all probability by no means existed.”
The monologue drew blended reactions within the auditorium, with some laughter and scattered applause. On social media, the jokes rapidly trended.
Donald Trump and the UFC
President Donald Trump has introduced plans to host a UFC occasion on the grounds of the White Home as a part of the US’ 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. In accordance with Trump, the occasion would contain a championship struggle organized by UFC president Dana White and will doubtlessly host an viewers of as much as 25,000 spectators.
Trump, a longtime supporter and attendee of UFC matches, unveiled the thought throughout a rally, describing the White Home’s ample area as superb for staging a high-profile sporting spectacle. Whereas the UFC and the White Home have confirmed ongoing preparations, few specifics have been launched relating to dates, taking part athletes, or logistics, however it might mark the primary occasion of knowledgeable sporting occasion held on the White Home.
Donald Trump and the Epstein Information
In latest weeks, President Trump has confronted mounting backlash, together with from his Republican base, over his administration’s dealing with of recordsdata associated to the late Jeffrey Epstein. After a Justice Division evaluate reaffirmed that there isn’t any current “shopper checklist” or proof of outstanding figures being blackmailed, some Trump supporters expressed frustration, fueling conspiracy theories and inner rifts throughout the GOP. Trump has publicly known as the Epstein focus a “hoax” and accused Democrats and sure Republicans (“weaklings”) of utilizing the story as political leverage. The president’s shifting strategy, from beforehand suggesting transparency to now dismissing renewed curiosity, has sparked backlash. Some conservative activists are urging additional investigation and accusing the administration of a potential cover-up, given Trump’s identified connections to Epstein.
Community executives anticipated some pushback, given Gillis’s famous willingness to deal with controversial matters. A spokesperson for the ESPYs commented after the printed, “We anticipate comedians to check boundaries, and Shane’s efficiency actually generated dialog.”
The monologue additionally included jokes directed at a spread of sports activities figures and present controversies throughout the sports activities world.
