President Donald Trump's massive UFC spectacle at the White House on Sunday evening was plagued by thunderstorm warnings, oppressive heat, and the looming threat of bugs as the main card fight got underway. According to a forecast shared by The Weather Channel, the event faced a 'chaotic weather setup' including a '60% chance of thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and wind gusts.' Additionally, the event was at risk for massive swarms of mosquitoes and gnats 'that fighters will have to battle inside the cage.'
Rare Use of White House for Private Event
The fight, which marks the rare use of the White House for a private company's event, is the latest example of the president's affinity for pageantry and further adds to the scrutiny of such displays. The mixed martial arts event, billed as the 'UFC Freedom 250,' features fights between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title. It has drawn condemnation for the administration's use of federal grounds, as well as for the emphasis Trump placed on the event while grappling with a struggling economy and finalizing a deal to end the U.S. war on Iran.
Timing and International Implications
Just hours before the main card began, Trump said that an agreement with Iran was 'now complete,' though it isn't expected to be formally signed until Friday. According to a Reuters report, France also pushed back the G7 summit to allow Trump to attend the cage fight on the White House lawn.
Fans attend the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest on The Ellipse ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday. (Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images)
Year in the Making
The UFC exhibition has been nearly a year in the making. Trump first floated the idea last July during a kickoff for activities commemorating America's 250th birthday. It has since spawned the construction of a mixed martial arts venue, known as 'The Claw,' on the White House lawn and is expected to host as many as 4,000 attendees at the match itself. Tens of thousands of other spectators are also expected to watch broadcasts of the fight on the Ellipse or stream it on Paramount+, which is owned by Trump ally David Ellison.
The fight is also the second time in as many years that Trump's birthday has coincided with a spectacle he's hosted in D.C. Last year, Trump threw himself a military parade.
'The Claw' venue has been constructed specially for the UFC event. (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images)
Opposition and Legal Challenges
The staging of the cage match at the White House has been met with widespread opposition. It recently drew a court challenge from the Public Integrity Project, which argued that the administration needed congressional approval for construction related to the UFC event. Last week, a judge ultimately ruled that the fight could proceed. Additionally, only 16% of Americans said it was appropriate for Trump to use the White House grounds for this event, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Trump's Ties to UFC
The UFC gathering underscores the deep ties Trump has with the mixed martial arts company and the commercial interests poised to benefit from the event. Trump has long been friends with UFC President Dana White, who has repeatedly backed his presidential runs and welcomed him ringside at past matches. According to PBS, White also played a role in influencing podcaster Joe Rogan, who was once a UFC color commentator, to throw his backing behind Trump.
This past March, Trump's brokerage account also purchased shares in TKO Holdings, UFC's parent company, raising questions about whether he could personally see gains from holding a fight on the White House lawn. The Trump organization said the president had no control of the transaction, and the White House has also denied any conflict of interest.
