Donald Trump announces UFC fight at White House lawn and people can’t believe why

During a 4th of July rally in Iowa, Donald Trump surprised many by announcing a UFC fight set to take place on the White House lawn as part of the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday next year.

Trump’s rally speech largely focused on mocking President Biden, repeating false election claims, and celebrating his newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” a tax and spending package passed in the House on July 3.

In the midst of his political address, Trump shifted gears to share plans for America’s semiquincentennial in 2026 — including hosting a championship UFC fight on the White House grounds, drawing thousands of attendees.

Trump, known to be a longtime UFC fan and close friend of UFC president Dana White, said the event would accommodate 20,000–25,000 people, with White in charge of setting it up. White later reposted a video of Trump’s speech, signaling agreement.

The announcement sparked immediate backlash online, with many social media users criticizing the idea as “classless” and unfit for such a historic celebration. Comments described the plan as “tacky,” “ridiculous,” and compared the idea to a circus.

Critics expressed concern about diminishing the dignity of the presidency and the historical significance of the White House by turning it into a venue for a commercial fighting event.

Some also noted the irony of celebrating America’s 250th year with violence on land that belonged to Native Americans long before colonization, further fueling debate over the appropriateness of Trump’s proposed spectacle.