The fight is on. A federal judge has rejected an attempt to block Donald Trump’s UFC cage match from taking place after a lawsuit accused the administration of a “deeply corrupt” scheme to line the pockets of his allies.
A hulking superstructure is taking over the White House lawn for Sunday’s fight, coinciding with the president’s 80th birthday and marking the first-ever private sports event held there.
Crews have finished installing a 92-foot-tall “Claw” above the octagon-shaped stage for UFC’s Freedom 250, surrounded by arena-style seating and plastered with brand names and company logos, including Polymarket and Bud Light.
The event — in tandem with a White House-backed celebration of the nation’s 25th anniversary — will hold more than 4,000 people, and a nearby park is expected to hold more than 120,000 visitors for a watch party.
A federal lawsuit threatened to derail the event before it started. The last-minute lawsuit accused the administration of giving the UFC “unfettered access” to turn public landmarks into profitable billboards.
UFC committed $60 million to the event, according to court filings. The event is expected to draw multi-million dollar sponsorships as well as revenue through a broadcast agreement with Paramount +, a streaming platform operated by Trump allies.
White House officials say the UFC is covering costs for the unprecedented production, but several federal agencies have “allocated significant resources and manpower,” officials say.
The oldest elected US president is turning 80, but it’s not Trump’s age that has medical experts worried
Trump turns 80 on Sunday, following more than a year of exhibiting visible symptoms typical for an octogenarian, including bruising on his hands, swollen ankles and legs, and appearing to nod off during meetings and high-profile events.
But that’s now what medical experts are worried about.
Rhian Lubin13 June 2026 04:25
Trump loves crashing sports events. Thanks to the UFC, he’s got his own with a twist
A scarcely believable UFC fight card will play out on the White House’s South Lawn. The 4,000-odd attendees will have been carefully curated.
For once, Trump is not crashing a sports event. He has his own.
Alex Pattle13 June 2026 04:05
Rain could wash out Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 birthday fight
Rain and lightning could end up being an uninvited opponent at Sunday’s UFC fight at the White House.
AccuWeather warns that on Sunday, Washington looks like it will be hit with a “a heavy thunderstorm late in the afternoon,” in which “downpours and lightning could impact the events at the White House.”
Josh Marcus13 June 2026 02:05
Live updates: Lincoln Memorial to host first event of White House fight weekend
UFC Freedom 250 will kick off with a conference at the Lincoln Memorial at 8:30 p.m. ET, as UFC fighters trade barbs two days before competing on the White House South Lawn.
Alex Woodward13 June 2026 01:20
Top Democrat is investigating ‘who really benefits’ from Trump’s UFC event
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on a senate committee tasked with investigating the federal government, says he plans to look into Trump’s UFC event, which he says appears to be a “masterclass in marketing and corruption.”
“Sponsor ads line every side, with these payments & others largely undisclosed as to who really benefits & how much,” he wrote Friday.
He said he is “looking into it” through the Senate’s permanent subcommittee on investigations.
Alex Woodward13 June 2026 00:10
Stunt bike event reportedly coming to the White House this weekend
Trump’s 80th birthday festivities are increasingly taking on the feel of a backwoods county fair — with motocross riders now set to perform stunts outside the White House this weekend.
“Nitro Circus” star Travis Pastrana and at least three other daredevils will reportedly set to show off their skills on Saturday, one day before the White House cage match.
Bruce Golding12 June 2026 22:30
Just in: Final preparations for Trump’s UFC cage match underway
Crews are putting the finishing touches on the UFC Freedom 250 event around the White House, where a massive stage has been constructed on the south lawn.
Alex Woodward12 June 2026 21:00
Just in: Judge rejects Trump’s 11th-hour attempt to keep his name on the Kennedy Center
While Trump transforms the White House and Lincoln Memorial into a UFC-branded event, the president is losing his grip on the iconic Kennedy Center.
A federal judge denied the administration’s 11th-hour attempt to rename the venue after himself after last month’s decision blocked the president from changing the name and shutting it down for renovations.
Kennedy Center lawyers are appealing that ruling and asked a judge to pause his order while the legal battle continues. That request was rejected on Friday afternoon.
Construction crews in neon green high-vis vests are staged outside the venue, where scaffolding has been set up around the letters on the facade.
It’s expected that the letters could be imminently removed.
Alex Woodward12 June 2026 20:20
MAGA’s least-favorite beer is all over Trump’s Octagon
Sponsors flocked to have their names all over the White House lawn, but one brand backing the Sunday bout stands out as something of a surprise: Bud Light.
The brand set off a MAGA firestorm in 2023 thanks to its brief partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
The ensuing controversy, as Republicans piled on the brand for being too “woke,” contributed to Bud Light losing an estimated $1.4 billion and its spot as the top-selling beer in America.
Nonetheless, the Bud Light name will now ring the Octagon arena on the White House’s South Lawn — during Pride month.
Josh Marcus12 June 2026 20:00
Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s UFC birthday cage fight, poll finds
When asked for their opinion of the White House hosting the fight as part of its Freedom 250 celebrations, 40 percent of Americans said they strongly disapproved, and another 11 percent said they somewhat disapproved, according to a recent YouGov survey.
Rachel Dobkin12 June 2026 19:30
