President Donald Trump has hinted at permanently keeping the controversial UFC octagon being built on the White House lawn for an upcoming MMA event, going so far as to compare the structure to the Eiffel Tower. Trump had long considered staging an event in the top-level fighting promotion at the White House in conjunction with the United States' 250th anniversary. Now, that event is just days away. But after the crowds disperse from this event, the President doesn't seem too keen to start dismantling the infrastructure just yet.
Comparison to the Eiffel Tower
In a video posted to TikTok, Trump called the structure 'attractive' before comparing it to the iconic Paris landmark. Trump said, '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. 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 June 14th. And I'm looking at it and maybe we'll never, ever take it down.'
Legal Challenges and the East Wing Demolition
Trump's notion of keeping the octagon up and active comes at a time where there have been multiple legal challenges to his demolition of the East Wing of the White House in order to build a large ballroom. Courts have ruled that the President doesn't have the legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. However, appeals have allowed construction to continue.
UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card
The UFC fight, dubbed 'UFC Freedom 250', is scheduled to feature a pair of championship bouts. Alex Pereira is set to fight Cyril Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight title. If Pereira wins, he would be the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three divisions. But the main event of the evening is a fight to unify the UFC Lightweight Championships - currently held by Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
