White House to host UFC fight? Trump unveils plan for America250

President Donald Trump said Thursday, July 3, he plans to host a UFC championship fight on the White House grounds next year as part of the America250 celebrations. Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump told supporters the event would coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He described the bout as a full championship fight, with an expected audience of 20,000 to 25,000. — Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

White House bout

President Trump says he will host a UFC championship fight on White House grounds in 2026 as part of America250. He announced the plan during a July 3 speech in Iowa, describing it as a “championship fight, full fight.”

Longtime UFC ties

Trump’s connection to the UFC dates back to 2001, when he hosted an early event at his casino. He remains close with UFC CEO Dana White, who will organize the 2026 fight.

America250 plans

The UFC fight is one of several events Trump outlined for the America250 celebration. Others include a Great American State Fair, National Mall festivities and the “Patriot Games.”

Full story

President Donald Trump said Thursday, July 3, he plans to host a UFC championship fight on the White House grounds next year as part of the America250 celebrations. Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump told supporters the event would coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

He described the bout as a full championship fight, with an expected audience of 20,000 to 25,000.

It’s going to be EPIC! https://t.co/fNes3H3jEI
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 4, 2025

Trump said longtime UFC CEO Dana White will oversee the event. “We’re going to build a little — we’re not, Dana is going to do it,” Trump said, adding that the fight is planned for the White House grounds, though the National Park Service has not confirmed logistics or permits.

What is the president’s connection to the UFC?

Trump’s relationship with UFC and its leadership spans over two decades. He first hosted a UFC event at the Trump Taj Mahal casino in 2001 and has maintained a friendship with Dana White, who has openly supported Trump’s political career.

The president frequently attends UFC events, including UFC 316 in Newark this June, where he appeared ringside with White.

What other America250 events are planned?

In addition to the UFC fight, Trump highlighted several other activities tied to America250, including a “Great American State Fair,” a National Mall celebration and a multi-sport competition dubbed the “Patriot Games.” Trump said the yearlong festivities would involve events at national parks, battlefields and historic sites across the country.

Alexandria Nohalty (Production Specialist), Devan Markham (Morning Digital Producer), and Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor) contributed to this report.

Tags: Dana White, Donald Trump, UFC, White House

[craig nigrelli]

<p>FINALLY THIS MORNING — PRESIDENT TRUMP LOVES THE U-F-C AND THE FANS AS WELL AS THE FIGHTERS OFTEN GIVE HIM A HERO’S WELCOME.

NOW, THE WHITE HOUSE IS KICKING OFF A YEARLONG CELEBRATION LEADING UP TO THE 250-TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE THAT WILL POSSIBLY CULMINATE WITH A UFC EVENT AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

WHILE AT AN EVENT IN DES MOINES IOWA — THE PRESIDENT SAID H

E’S CONSIDERING HOSTING A U-F-C CARD ON THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS AS PART OF THE CELEBRATIONS.

TRUMP IS A LONGTIME FRIEND OF U-F-C C-E-O DANA WHITE. WHITE EVEN SPOKE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

HERE’S WHAT’S IN THE WORKS.

“We’re going to have a UFC fight. Think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there. We’re going to build a little, we’re not. Dana is going to do it. Dana is great. One of a kind. We can have a UFC fight, championship fight, full fight like 20, 25,000 people. And we’re going to do that as part of 250 also.”

DETAILS STILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE TIME.

NOW BEFORE WE GO. ITS INDEPENDENCE DAY AND I FIGURED I’D ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE FOURTH OF JULY EXPERIENCES. FOR ME, I GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1976. IT WAS THE BICENTENNIAL AND OUR FAMILY WENT TO SEE THE FIREWORKS AT ACADEMY PARK IN LEWISTON, NEW YORK, JUST A FEW MILES FROM NIAGARA FALLS, TO MARK THE NATION’S 150-TH BIRTHDAY. AND THAT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED **BICENTENNIAL COINS**, WE LOVED TO COLLECT THEM.

[TAKE PICTURE]

SO I LOOKED IN MY COIN COLLECTION THIS WEEK AND TAKE A LOOK, I FOUND A SILVER DOLLAR AND HALF DOLLAR : BICENTENNIAL COINS WITH THE DATES 1776-TO-1976 ON THEM. THEY MIGHT BE WORTH SOMETHING. BUT I’M KEEPIN‘ EM. GREAT MEMORIES FOR ME, FOR SURE.

Why this story matters

Donald Trump's announcement to host a UFC championship fight on the White House grounds during the America250 celebrations highlights the blending of sports, national commemorations and political identity ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Presidential involvement in sports

The announcement showcases a sitting president actively participating in the organization and promotion of a major sporting event, which is unusual for White House activities.

America250 celebrations

The event is positioned as part of nationwide festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, emphasizing the scale and diverse nature of planned commemorations.

Trump-UFC relationship

Trump's longstanding personal and professional ties to UFC leadership, including CEO Dana White, shed light on the intersection of personal relationships, political promotion and high-profile public events.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 172 media outlets

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left sharply criticizes Trump’s UFC White House event plan, employing derisive terms like “Idiocracy” and “bonkers” to frame it as absurd and a degradation of presidential decorum, reflecting deep skepticism and disapproval.
Media outlets in the center adopt a measured tone, highlighting the aspirational nature and uncertain logistics without heavy judgment.
Media outlets on the right celebrate the proposal as a “historic” and “patriotic” spectacle, emphasizing Trump’s enthusiasm and close ties with UFC figures to project authenticity and popular appeal, while avoiding overt criticism.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

172 total sources

Key points from the Left

President Donald Trump announced plans for a UFC fight on the White House grounds to celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026, expecting 20,000 to 25,000 spectators.
Trump mentioned the event during a rally in Iowa, emphasizing that it will be part of a series of celebrations across national parks and historic sites.
Public reactions were mixed, with some finding the proposal out of place and social media reactions being largely critical, comparing the idea to scenes from the dystopian film "Idiocracy."
Trump's friendship with Dana White, UFC's CEO, has been noted as a factor in bringing this event to fruition.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

President Donald Trump announced on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds plans for a UFC championship fight at the White House.
Trump made the announcement during the kickoff for the year-long America250 celebrations marking the nation's 250th birthday, July 4, 2026.
Trump stated Dana White would organize the full UFC fight on the South Lawn, expecting 20,000 to 25,000 attendees as part of commemorative events.
Trump announced plans to hold a major UFC event featuring a full-scale championship match, expected to draw an audience of around 20,000 to 25,000 attendees, as part of the celebrations for America250.
No official approval or arrangements have been finalized, suggesting that while the UFC event remains a possibility, it primarily illustrates Trump's mix of showmanship and politics.

Report an issue with this summary

See Hide headlines from Center sources 58 sources

Key points from the Right

President Donald Trump announced plans to host a UFC fight at the White House in 2026 for America's 250th birthday celebration.
The UFC event could attract between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators.
Dana White, the CEO of UFC, is a close friend of Trump and is expected to help organize the event.
A White House spokesperson stated there are no further details about the UFC event beyond Trump's announcement.

Report an issue with this summary