In a surprising announcement, former President Donald Trump revealed plans to host a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. This event, which is expected to attract as many as 25,000 spectators, is part of the celebrations for America's impending 250th birthday, slated for next year.

Speaking at a gathering at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump stated, “Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight. We’re going to have a UFC fight — think of this — on the grounds of the White House.” His remarks sent ripples of excitement through the crowd, but they are also likely to provoke strong reactions from political opponents who may view such an event as trivializing the significance of the presidential estate.

Trump elaborated on the details, saying, “We have a lot of land there, we’re going to build a little — we’re not, Dana is going to do it. Dana is great, one of a kind — going to be UFC fight, championship fight, full fight, like 20,000 to 25,000 people, and we’re going to do that as part of ‘250’.” This announcement highlights Trump's ongoing relationship with Dana White, the prominent CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), whom he regards as a close friend.

The former president’s connection to the UFC is evident; just last month, he attended a high-profile fight in Newark featuring competitors Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. Additionally, shortly after the November 5 election, he was spotted at a UFC event at Madison Square Garden alongside notable figures including Elon Musk, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and musician Kid Rock.

This visit to Iowa was strategically timed as a launch for the America250 events, which aim to commemorate the nation's 250 years of independence, coinciding with Trump's promotion of his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This legislation, which passed just hours before his speech, seeks to reduce taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, fulfilling some of his campaign promises.

Trump continued to outline plans for a variety of festivities in honor of America250, asserting, “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.” He noted that special events would take place in “every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites,” emphasizing a nationwide commitment to honor the anniversary.

Among the initiatives mentioned was a “Great American State Fair” in Iowa and other fairgrounds, culminating in a major patriotic festival next summer on the National Mall. This festival is expected to showcase exhibits from all 50 states, promising a diverse and vibrant celebration of American culture.

Furthermore, Trump announced the “official opening of the National Garden of American Heroes,” which will be a vast outdoor park featuring statues honoring some of the most significant figures in American history. He also mentioned a sporting event titled the “Patriot Games,” aimed at highlighting top high school athletes from across the nation.

In his closing remarks, Trump energized the crowd by declaring, “Exactly one year from tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with a birthday party the likes of which you have never seen before. Together, we’re going to ensure that America’s 250th anniversary is the single greatest year in the city of our country.”

In addition to these events, New York City is set to play a significant role in the celebrations with its own festivities called Sail4th 250, which will feature a six-day celebration involving over 30 tall ships from various international militaries, a thrilling Blue Angels flight show, and the display of rare historical documents.

This ambitious plan to integrate a UFC fight into the White House events underlines Trump’s distinctive approach to engagement, intertwining sports and politics in an unprecedented manner.