Trump really is hosting a UFC fight at the White House
The Boston Globe • • general
Key Points:
- The UFC Freedom 250 octagon is being constructed on the White House South Lawn for an event on June 14, coinciding with President Trump's 80th birthday, with 5,000 invited spectators and an additional 100,000 viewers watching on nearby screens.
- The UFC and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, are covering the $60 million construction costs, while the White House is responsible for staffing and security expenses.
- Critics, including Democrats, have questioned the event's costs amid Trump's healthcare spending cuts, with some labeling the event as out of touch.
- UFC President Dana White, a close Trump ally, described the event as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary, denying any political motives.
- The event is part of broader White House projects under Trump, including a $13.1 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repair, a proposed $100 million triumphal arch, and a $1 billion security funding request for a White House ballroom.