Several A-list celebrities invited to President Donald Trump’s UFC cage fight on the White House lawn later this month have no plans to show up, according to a new report, becoming the latest group to snub a presidential celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Comedian Adam Sandler, actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor and musician Jared Leto and television host Mario Lopez are among the names that UFC President and CEO Dana White told Time were invited to the event on Trump’s birthday, June 14.
But representatives for the stars, and one person close to Johnson, told Vanity Fair that none of them plan to attend.
It’s the latest group of high-profile figures to decline an invite to a Trump-linked event in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Last month, the administration was dealt a blow when several musicians pulled out of performances at the Great American State Fair after learning the event was sponsored by Freedom 250, a Trump-affiliated group.
The Independent has asked the White House and UFC for comment.
It’s unclear which A-listers plan to attend UFC Freedom 250, the cage match taking place on the South Lawn. The administration has erected a ring, seating for roughly 4,500, as well as a large temporary arch dubbed “The Claw.”
White told Time that former NFL player Tom Brady, actor Jason Statham and filmmaker Guy Ritchie were also invited to the event. The Independent has contacted their representatives for comment.
While the event is marketed as part of America 250 celebrations, it’s also occurring on Trump’s birthday – meaning many of the president’s friends and allies will be in attendance.
The president has 1,000 tickets to hand out, according to White. He also noted that he and Ari Emanuel, the chief executive of TKO Group Holdings, which owns UFC, only have 200 tickets each to give out. The rest of the tickets are going to members of the military, White told TMZ.
With the help of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the president has handpicked allies to attend, according to Vanity Fair.
For those unable to attend the event at the White House, UFC Freedom 250 is setting up a free watch party for tens of thousands of fans on The Ellipse.
Most people, though, are not supportive of the event. A recent YouGov survey found that 51 percent of Americans disapprove of the cage fight as part of the 250th celebrations.
The Trump administration has faced a series of publicity challenges while trying to put on events, particularly those sponsored by Freedom 250, its public-private partnership.
At least six of the nine musical acts set to play the Freedom 250 concert series, between June 25 and July 10, said they would drop out, claiming they did not want to be part of political discourse or were misled about the nonpartisan nature of the event. That includes Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Martina McBride.
Freedom 250 is separate from America250, a nonprofit created to support a nonpartisan congressional commission that was established years ago.
