ove $1 billion in taxpayer funds to help secure the ballroom. The suggestion triggered a minor revolt among Republicans, and added to the growing disapproval from the public.

The Post's report comes just days after Trump hosted a $60 million UFC fight on the White House lawn that doubled as a birthday celebration for himself. While the event was paid for by the UFC and for-profit corporate sponsorships, at least several millions of that amount will come from taxpayer funds dedicated to security agencies like the Secret Service. While the White House has not been transparent about its own spending breakdown, local D.C. officials told ESPN that the city expected to spend between $10-12 million in federally allocated funds on additional security costs . Trending Stories Jelly Roll Files for Divorce From Bunnie Xo Bonnie Tyler No Longer in Coma, But  Remains Very Unwell' as Summer Tour Canceled Melanie Martinez Pays Tribute to Ex-Boyfriend Oliver Tree:  I Know You're Making the Angels Giggle' Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter Have Something They Wanna Talk About in  Bring Your Love' Video

The event, billed as a  gift to the American people  by the president in celebration of America's 250th anniversary, was invite-only, and most of those invitees were rich allies of the president and loyal MAGA influencers. Normies had to either watch from screens on the mall outside of the White House, or pay out a subscription to Trump ally David Ellison for access to Paramount+ in order to watch the event from their home.

It's a gift to America only in the sense that in Trump's mind, he is the nation, and his friends and allies are the only constituency he feels compelled to serve. In that spirit, the celebrations of America's semiquincentennial this July 4 will be an official Trump rally on the National Mall. Happy birthday, America.