President Donald Trump has suggested that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) arena being built on the White House South Lawn could remain permanently, comparing it to the Eiffel Tower. In a video posted on his official TikTok account on Tuesday, Trump said the structure, which is being assembled for a series of fights on 14 June, might never be taken down.
“People don’t know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889 it was built. It was supposed to be taken down immediately after the world’s fair, and then they said, ‘You know we sort of like it, let’s leave it up a little bit longer’, and then they said, ‘Let’s leave it up longer and longer and longer,” Trump said. “Well, they never took it down, and you know we’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people. It’s going to have the big UFC fight on 14 June, and I’m looking at it and maybe we’ll never ever take it down.”
The 90ft steel octagon, which features “Claw”-like arches with cameras and American flag patterns, is being constructed to host seven fights on 14 June, marking Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of US independence. The UFC is covering the construction costs, with TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro estimating the event will cost at least $60m and will not turn a profit. UFC president Dana White said the organisation will spend an estimated $700,000 to restore the grass on the South Lawn after the event.
Trump told reporters last month that the arena will hold 4,500 spectators, mostly military members, with no public tickets available. An additional 75,000 to 100,000 people can watch on screens from the Ellipse near the White House. The Freedom 250 card, which has received a lukewarm reception from fighters and fans, will feature two title fights: Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje for the lightweight belt and Alex Pereira v Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title.
The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 world’s fair, was only intended to stand for 20 years before its architect Gustave Eiffel advocated for its permanent retention. The UFC arena is the latest in a series of remodelling projects at the White House under Trump, including gold details in the Oval Office, paving over part of the Rose Garden, and razing the East Wing to build a ballroom.
