President Donald Trump attended the 'UFC Freedom 250' event on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, coinciding with his 80th birthday and news of a peace agreement with Iran. This event marked an unusual private commercial sports gathering at the White House.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the event was briefly delayed due to the possibility of thunderstorms. Trump emerged from the Oval Office alongside his close associate, UFC CEO Dana White, to cheers from the crowd celebrating his birthday. Country singer Jack Brown performed the national anthem as military aircraft flew overhead, with a Paramount+ commentator describing the scene as "surreal."
A 92-foot tall, 600-ton steel structure known as 'The Claw' was erected on the South Lawn, with over 4,000 guests invited. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sat in the front row next to the cage, joined by family members, cabinet officials, Republican lawmakers, and military personnel. As the first match began, the crowd chanted "USA," and Trump’s favorite song, the Village People’s "Y.M.C.A.," played during the event.
Seven matches were held, including a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and an interim heavyweight title bout featuring Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. The fighters wore gloves in red, white, and blue, reminiscent of the American flag.
The event was officially planned as part of the celebration for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The White House stated in a press release that it would be "one of the most exciting nights in American history" and that such a spectacle at the White House, the "People's House," was a fitting tribute for the 250th anniversary of independence. White emphasized that "this country was built on fighting" and that the UFC exemplifies America's strong spirit.
However, the event was not without controversy. The Wall Street Journal noted that it was an unusual spectacle even by Trump’s standards, combining corporate sponsorship with VIP access in a public space like the White House South Lawn. Logos from sponsors such as Bud Light, Crypto.com, Polymarket, and Morgan & Morgan were displayed on stage, and the event was exclusively broadcast on Paramount+.
Brendan Ballou from the anti-corruption group Public Integrity Project told the BBC that the sale of sponsorship packages, broadcast rights, and advertising at the White House and Lincoln Memorial constituted a "corruption issue." He raised fundamental questions about whether the nation should use its most sacred national monuments to enrich the president and his associates.
Trump is known to have financial ties to the UFC. Public records indicate he purchased between $15,000 and $50,000 in shares of TKO, the parent company of UFC, in March of this year.
Concerns about public funding also arose. The Associated Press reported that more than seven federal agencies were involved in preparing for the event. The BBC estimated that local authorities would spend between $10 million and $12 million in federal funds on security and road control.
UFC fans and Trump supporters gathered at the Ellipse Park in front of the White House to watch the matches on a large screen, while related events took place throughout downtown Washington, D.C. Protests also occurred outside the venue, with some demonstrators criticizing the use of the White House and Lincoln Memorial for political events and commercial sports. One protester told the Wall Street Journal, "This is not his house; it’s our house," calling the event "disgusting."
The Wall Street Journal analyzed that the event provided Trump with a chance to project a strong image amid challenges such as the Iran war, inflation, and declining approval ratings. Notably, the event occurred as Trump’s approval ratings approached the lowest levels of his political career, with waning support among young men, a key demographic for the UFC.
Trump's relationship with White dates back to the early 2000s when Trump’s Atlantic City Taj Mahal hosted UFC events that faced criticism for their violence. Since then, Trump has frequently attended UFC events to appeal to young male and conservative fight fans as he sought to revitalize his political career.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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