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White House UFC cage fights on Flag Day signify America at half-staff

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by Myra Adams, opinion contributor - 05/01/26 7:00 AM ET

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by Myra Adams, opinion contributor - 05/01/26 7:00 AM ET

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President Donald Trump and Hunter Campbell, chief CFO of UFC, watch a fight at UFC 327 at Kaseya Center, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Unexpected violence marked last Saturday night’s truncated White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when a lone gunman made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate President Trump and other high-ranking administration officials.

That violence contrasts with the presidentially approved violence scheduled for June 14, when the Ultimate Fighting Championship will host “UFC Freedom 250” on the White House South Lawn. It features seven fights beginning at 8 p.m. For readers unfamiliar with the UFC, two fighters engage in hand-to-hand combat using mixed martial arts, often resulting in bloody injuries, concussions and knockouts.

Given Trump’s “fight, fight, fight” persona, he is linking Flag Day, which also happens to be his 80th birthday, with this brutal entertainment. Altogether, Trump will celebrate his longtime fandom for professional fighting, bask in the media spotlight, and make history by holding the first professional sports event on White House grounds. To accommodate the event, a 4,500-seat temporary arena will be constructed.

Expect millions of Americans to be outraged that the White House is hosting professional violence on the anniversary of the U.S. flag’s adoption in 1777, a day normally marked by flag-flying displays of patriotism and national unity. Perhaps those who control a flagpole and want to protest these White House Flag Day 250 fights should consider flying the flag at half-staff to mourn the passing of American dignity and decency.

For numerous reasons, this UFC event is visually inappropriate and ill-timed. First, historically, the White House grounds have been associated with peaceful endeavors, such as cultural, educational and humanitarian events, especially during special occasions. These activities foster national wellbeing and inspire patriotism among young Americans. For Trump to proudly host bloody fights on the White House lawn is contrary to his role and to the example he should set of upholding American ideals.

Second, this violent 250 Flag Day spectacle only hardens political polarization. Seven bloody bouts, sponsored by Trump’s wealthy buddy Dana White, president and CEO of UFC, help explain why a recent Fox News poll found that 60 percent of registered voters do not believe Trump has the temperament to be president. His fighting personality reinforces that sentiment.

Third, by staging these boisterous fights, the commander-in-chief signals to the world that the USA has become an aggressor nation in its 250th year. The U.S. military has assembled its largest fighting force since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, awaiting potential orders to invade Iran. Experts estimate that there are more than 50,000 troops, three aircraft carriers, and billions of dollars’ worth of military assets, costing $2 billion per day to maintain.

Fourth, the “UFC Freedom 250” event is estimated to cost $60 million. Supposedly, no taxpayer funds will be used. Does anyone believe that?

Fifth, the White House arena fight harkens back to the gladiators of ancient Rome. According to History.com, “The spectacles proved hugely popular, and by the end of the 1st century B.C., government officials began hosting state-funded games as a way of currying favor with the masses.” That was true then, and maybe now. Today, nationwide UFC events are popular among young men, who, as a group, leaned toward Trump in 2024. Is the president again appealing to those men, hoping to galvanize turnout for the midterm election?

In fact, last month at the White House, the president bragged, “I’ve been involved in a lot of big events; I have never had an event that has had more interest than the UFC fight we have right at the front door.” Besides mentioning the 4,500-seat temporary arena, Trump said, “And then in the back at the Ellipse, we’re going to have 100,000, maybe [50,000] to 100,000 people, I guess,” he continued. “They’re building tremendous stages, and we’re going to have massive screens of the fight. It’s a very popular sport.”

Sixth, as the June 14 date approaches, with the arena built and press coverage growing, Americans will be more aware of this unorthodox event. A wild card for Trump is the status of the war in Iran. If our military is actively engaged in combat operations, this UFC event will occur at the worst possible moment, whe