President Donald Trump promised a UFC fight on White House grounds as part of the 250th anniversary of America's independence, the Daily Caller reported. The president said this to a crowd Friday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Trump was in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 4 to jump-start this year's celebration of America's independence. He took the opportunity to discuss upcoming events for next year's festivities, which will mark a quarter of a millennium for the U.S.
There are many plans already made, but Trump said one of those "special events" would include a UFC fight at the White House. Trump said it would not be ceremonial but rather a "championship fight."
The president laid out his plans to the crowd, whose reaction was a mix of amusement and applause. "So every one of our national parks, battlefields, and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250," Trump said.
"I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight. We’re going to have — does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White?" Trump said of the CEO. "We’re going to have a UFC fight," Trump continued.
"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," Trump explained.
"Dana is great, one of a kind. We’re going to 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," the president went on.
"We’re going to have some incredible events, some professional events, some amateur events. But the UFC fight is going to be a big deal too," Trump added.
With such a significant milestone for the nation coming up during his term, Trump is eager to commemorate it in a special way. A UFC fight might sound like a joke, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the president is "dead serious" about it.
Not only does the UFC represent a deeply American sport, but Trump also owes a great deal of gratitude to the organization's CEO. White campaigned with Trump during the 2024 presidential election, and Trump has been welcomed by fans at the events.
Crowds greeted Trump with chants of "USA, USA" the few times he's made an appearance at an event. Following his election to a second term in November, Trump appeared at UFC 309, along with popular members of his administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.
Joe Rogan, the legendary podcaster hosting the event, was impressed by the reception Trump received. "The sound in this room — it is so loud. It’s always loud when he comes here, but now that he’s won, now that he’s president — oh my God," Rogan said.
If there's anything Trump is uniquely skilled at, it's putting on a show. With Trump in the White House during this momentous anniversary, the celebration of America's 250th birthday promises to be a year-long spectacle worthy of this great nation.
