Related video: Jake Tapper shares five words he ‘never contemplated using’ to describe Trump’s cabinet pick

President-elect Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at Madison Square Garden tonight to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in New York City. The crowd greeted him with thunderous cheers as he entered alongside UFC CEO Dana White, billionaire ally Elon Musk, cabinet pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Popular podcaster Joe Rogan also attended and greeted Trump with a friendly handshake.

During the event, Trump announced his choice for energy secretary, fracking CEO Chris Wright, who is a vocal advocate for oil and gas development and a strong opponent of efforts to combat climate change. However, Trump’s transition team is facing serious allegations surrounding other cabinet picks, including Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.

A woman who testified before the House Ethics Committee investigating Gaetz claimed that she witnessed him having sex with a minor, according to her lawyer. Gaetz denies all allegations. Additionally, within 48 hours of announcing Hegseth as the defense secretary nominee, a sexual assault allegation against him emerged, which he also denies.

The president-elect’s transition team is working to address these controversies while continuing to fill key posts in his second administration. The event at Madison Square Garden highlighted the ongoing developments in Trump’s cabinet selection process and the challenges his team is facing as they prepare for the transition of power.