CA, US & World
Trump Departs for G7 Summit Following Historic Iran Peace Accord and Controversial White House UFC Spectacle
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has officially departed the United States for Évian-les-Bains, France, to participate in the high-stakes 52nd G7 Summit. The president’s departure in the early hours of Monday morning follows an extraordinary weekend that radically shifted American foreign policy and shattered long-standing institutional traditions at the executive mansion, headlined by a tentative agreement to end the war with Iran and a massive mixed martial arts event on public property.
The international gathering in France begins amid heavy geopolitical friction, though President Trump enters the summit carrying significant momentum from a freshly brokered diplomatic breakthrough. Prior to boarding Air Force One, the administration announced a preliminary memorandum of understanding aimed at halting the active war with Iran. The agreement outlines the immediate implementation of a ceasefire and the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz to global shipping traffic. Despite the diplomatic progress, widespread protests have already erupted in nearby Geneva, Switzerland, where thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets and clashed with local riot police to protest the administration's broader foreign policy objectives.
Before shifting his focus to European diplomacy, the president hosted an unprecedented 60-million-dollar corporate spectacle on the White House South Lawn. Dubbed UFC Freedom 250, the historic gathering was organized to commemorate both the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and President Trump's 80th birthday. The Ultimate Fighting Championship, along with its corporate sponsors, completely transformed the historic grounds, erecting an eight-sided fighting cage underneath a massive, 92-foot steel canopy known as "The Claw" that towered over the presidential residence. Historic rooms inside the White House were repurposed into athlete locker rooms and staging areas as mixed martial artists walked past a military honor guard to compete.
The lavish outdoor production drew a hand-picked crowd of 4,000 exclusive guests, including cabinet officials, foreign dignitaries, high-profile corporate tech executives, and close political allies. While fighters used their post-match interviews to praise the administration, the massive price tag and the commercialization of the executive mansion drew fierce condemnation from congressional Democrats. Appearing on MS Now, Senator Cory Booker sharply criticized the event, accusing the president of acting like a modern-day Great Gatsby by staging an extravagant, flashing spectacle on public property while the nation navigates a broader economic crisis.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 15, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What are you going to be for Halloween? 🎃
Labor Day traffic is picking up in Palm Springs. If you’re heading out, our Maria Noble Valdez has what you can expect on the roads here. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs and nbcpalmsprings.com for more Labor Day coverage #LaborDay #LaborDayTraffic #PalmSprings #TrafficUpdate #i10
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Cael Woody with the dot under pressure, 2) Tatum Webster with the pass breakup, 3) Ivan Garza with the rushing TD, 4) Sean Meza with the toe tap, or 5) Jesus. Valenzuela with the strong hands #fypage #fridaynightlights #top3 #hondaofthedesert
Me On A Plate is back! We head over to @tacquila_ps to talk to chef David Arreguin about his love of spice, being the seventh of nine children, and his drive to always follow his passion. Check it out now on our website nbcpalmsprings.com
Nearly a year after wildfires tore through Mountain Center, the scars are still visible along the Palms to Pines Highway. Now, fire crews are working to repair those burn areas and reduce the risk of flooding, erosion and mudslides when heavy rain arrives. The work includes fire-line suppression repairs, water bars and other measures designed to slow rainwater and keep burned soil from washing away. CAL FIRE Riverside County Battalion Chief Ryan Lubin says the steep terrain, dry brush and limited access continue to create challenges for mountain communities. With El Niño conditions expected to bring periods of heavy rain, officials say preparing now could help protect homes and communities from the aftermath of wildfire. The message from firefighters: preparation can save lives. Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com. #MountainCenter #Highway74 #PalmsToPines #CALFIRE #Wildfire WildfireRecovery FireSafety CoachellaValley SanJacintoMountains
Gas prices in Riverside County are climbing toward $6 a gallon — and that’s more than $1 higher than this time last year. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $86, leaving many drivers wondering how much longer they can absorb the rising cost. On this week’s Roggin Report, Fred Roggin and the panel debate how expensive gas is changing the way people travel, work and live — and why prices are so much higher here. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #RogginReport #FredRoggin #GasPrices #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley
As the Lindsay Clancy trial begins to close, discussions regarding postpartum mental health and postpartum care have began to draw attention to the level of care needed after childbirth. Maria Noble Valdez looked at this discussion locally with a mental health expert and mom here in Coachella Valley. #lindsayclancytrial #pospartum #mentalhealth #760 #nationalnews
EVEN PARKING HAS A VIP SECTION? A mall in Bakersfield is charging shoppers up to $10 a day for preferred parking spots closer to the entrance. So we had to ask: Would you pay for a better parking spot? And could paid parking eventually come to Valley malls? Fred Roggin and the panel weigh in on this week’s Roggin Report. Would you pay $10 for a prime parking spot? #RogginReport #FredRoggin #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Parking
📞 Call 760.466.0800 or visit DAPHealth.org to schedule your appointment today! Flu viruses change every year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to strengthen your immune system, lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization, and protect your loved ones. Sponsored by: DAP Health
A wedding day they’ll never forget. 💍🌊 A couple in the Philippines refused to let monsoon flooding wash away their special day — exchanging vows while standing waist-deep in floodwaters. Talk about making a splash on your wedding day! #WeddingDay #Philippines #Flooding #Monsoon #Wedding #Love #NBCPalmSprings