UFC CEO Dana White has disclosed that the White House Rose Garden, which President Donald Trump converted into a patio last year, is plagued by gnats, potentially causing issues for the upcoming MMA event on the South Lawn scheduled for next month.
Gnat Concerns at the Rose Garden
White, aged 56, shared his observations during an appearance on the Boardroom podcast on Monday. He recounted a dinner invitation from President Trump at the newly unveiled Rose Garden two nights prior. "The amount of gnats that were flying around. I'm like, 'Holy s***.' As soon as I got on the plane, I called my head of production and said, 'Yeah, let me tell you about the gnat situation tonight,'" White stated.
He elaborated on the potential hazards for the fighters, noting the lighting grid and the powerful lights that attract moths, gnats, and other insects. To mitigate this, White has recommended installing robust fans around the venue to create wind, as "gnats have a hard time in the wind." He emphasized the importance of these details, expressing his general aversion to outdoor fights.
Upcoming UFC Freedom 250 Event
President Trump has entrusted White with organizing a showcase UFC event at the presidential residence to commemorate his 80th birthday on June 14, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. White House spokesman Davis Ingle refrained from addressing the gnat issue directly but hailed the event as "one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history," underscoring Trump's vision for celebrating America's milestone.
The president has promoted the event, officially named "UFC Freedom 250," anticipating an audience of 5,000 spectators at the White House, with additional viewing via large screens at Washington's Ellipse Park. The main card will feature at least seven bouts, including Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira against Ciryl Gane, all taking place inside the UFC's octagon arena, which concept art depicts with a towering arch.
Sponsorship and Ticket Distribution
Trump recently hosted some fighters at the Oval Office, where he asked Gaethje for his views on the Iran conflict, prompting a hurried response that the U.S. is in "fantastic shape," despite ongoing peace talks and a fragile ceasefire. Reports indicate that the president's fundraising team is offering seven-figure sponsorship packages to wealthy fans for access to the event. A Republican lobbyist told NBC News, "They are raising a s*** ton of money and have used it as another unofficial vehicle for corporate donors to give and gain favor with Trump."
White earlier informed CBS News that the UFC is raffling tickets to loyal fans, with 400 allocated to UFC leadership, 1,000 to the president's discretion, and the remainder to military members.
Joe Rogan's Skepticism
Joe Rogan, a UFC color commentator and podcaster who has shifted from Trump supporter to skeptic, expressed reservations about the event. He voiced concerns over weather conditions and deemed it "weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f***ing war," though he remains "excited" for the spectacle.
President Trump, an avid fight fan, remains undeterred. He last attended a UFC event in Miami in April alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Vice President JD Vance was in Pakistan negotiating with Iran, where Trump praised Brazilian fighter Paulo Costa.
