President Trump turns 80 today, 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: President Trump’s birthday, Flag Day, which marks the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777, and the launch of celebrations leading up to the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has known President Trump for 25 years and has 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 U.S. presidents. He’s been speaking to France 24’s Gavin Lee.
