Trump and UFC President Attend White House Championship Event Amid Weather Concerns
Former President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White were present at a championship fight event on the White House South Lawn, which was attended by senior officials and business leaders despite a severe thunderstorm watch.
Former President Donald Trump sat ringside beside UFC president Dana White as championship fights were staged on the White House South Lawn. The event, streamed exclusively on Paramount+, also drew senior officials including Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, as well as business leaders such as Paramount CEO David Ellellson and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
"We anticipate inclement weather in the area, so attendees should plan accordingly," the UFC said in a statement.
A 12-jet flyover accompanied the national anthem, and security measures were heightened with military personnel and street closures around the venue. The matches, originally slated for 9 p.m. ET, were delayed by about an hour after a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for the region.
Organizers reported that roughly 4,000 guests were expected on the South Lawn, with tens of thousands projected to watch from a nearby public area. The event, tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, also coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday.
Paramount+ began streaming the coverage at 8 p.m. ET, while the fights themselves started after the weather delay. The production cost for the event has been reported at $60 million.
