President Donald Trump has suggested that the massive UFC arena currently being constructed in front of the White House could remain in place indefinitely. The octagon, topped with an arch known as 'The Claw,' is being built to host a mixed-martial arts showcase on June 14 as part of the Trump administration's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. That date also coincides with the president's 80th birthday.
In a TikTok video, Trump compared the structure to a famous Parisian landmark that also outlasted its original purpose. 'Many don’t know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889 it was built,' he said. '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,' he continued. 'It’s gonna have the big UFC fight on June 14, and I’m looking at it, and maybe we’ll never, ever take it down.'
The cage fighting spectacular, organized by Trump's friend Dana White despite concerns about outdoor logistics, will feature at least seven fights involving Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, and Alex Pereira, among others. Around 5,000 spectators—including VIPs and military members—will attend in person, with many more watching on large screens installed at Washington's Ellipse Park nearby.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle told The Independent the event will be a triumph: 'This will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history, and President Trump hosting it at the White House is a testament to his vision to celebrate America’s monumental 250th anniversary.'
However, the event comes at a challenging time in Trump's second term. The U.S. remains unable to secure peace terms with Iran, and many Americans express discontent over inflation and the cost of living as November's midterms approach. Additionally, Trump's Freedom 250 project has seen numerous artists withdraw, claiming they were misled about the event's political nature. Morris Day and The Time, Young MC, country singer Martina McBride, and former Poison frontman Bret Michaels have all backed out.
Trump is reportedly furious about the exodus and has pledged to headline himself, declaring he is 'the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World' and 'the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar.' He has also derided the acts who dropped out as 'third rate,' 'boring,' and overpaid.
