As President Donald Trump has highlighted various aspects of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, his critics have been quick to complain at every turn.
One example involves an upcoming UFC exhibition fight planned for the White House’s South Lawn.
Dana White, the league’s president and CEO, was quick to correct the record.
This event has nothing to do with politics, he said, and everything to do with his love for the United States.
Per The Hill:
“You can make anything political if you want to,” White said as part of a wide-ranging interview with Time published this week. “I love this country like anybody on the left loves this country. I love this country like anybody on the right loves this country.”
White’s decision to host a UFC fight at the White House is “basically me spending a s‑‑‑load of money to celebrate the 250th birthday of America, with America and the rest of the world,” he said.
Construction for “UFC 250” began outside the White House over the weekend, and President Trump said he anticipates thousands of fans will watch the fights.
The event is timed to coincide with Trump’s birthday, June 14, and other “America 250” celebrations taking place this summer.
The UFC event has sparked significant attention on social media:
History in the making 👀
New visuals for #UFCWhiteHouse and the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest are here!
[ Presented by @Cryptocom & @RamTrucks ] pic.twitter.com/PQP7dut7fE
— UFC (@ufc) May 23, 2026
🔥🚨JUST IN: Former NBA player Michael Beasley just leaked the UFC Freedom 250 dome that will be built at the White House
"White House is huge."Beasley: "I don't think y'all realize how big this is." pic.twitter.com/bFh5roKWrN
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) May 26, 2026
Construction is officially underway at the White House for UFC Freedom Fights 250.
Workers were seen assembling what appeared to be part of a lighting structure Monday as crews build out a temporary arena expected to hold roughly 5,000 invited guests.
The June 14 card is… pic.twitter.com/xhBxCgxtf1
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 25, 2026
Here’s the latest on the construction currently in progress, via USA Today:
The centerpiece of a makeshift Ultimate Fighting Championship arena on the South Lawn of the White House took form on May 25 as construction crews installed a soaring 90-foot tall, open-air structure that stands out dramatically from most views of the building.
Below the arc will be a 5,000-seat arena and octagon-shaped cage where UFC fighters will square off on June 14 ‒ a spectacle President Donald Trump has promised will be the “biggest event we’ve ever had at the White House.” The event falls on the president’s 80th birthday and Flag Day.
Construction on the massive White House overhaul to prepare for the UFC fight got underway last week. Trump has said an additional 75,000-100,000 spectators can watch the UFC event for free on large screens further away from the White House Ellipse. Trump met with UFC CEO Dana White, a close ally, on May 5 to discuss the planning.
Here’s some additional coverage:
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