“I think it’s awesome that Trump … puts on cage fights on the White House lawn. I don’t like the Iran war thing, but I like that.” — Joe Rogan
Two-hundred and fifty years. That’s a quarter of a millennium, and history has shown time and time again that many societies lasted, on average, about that long.
With that in mind, our country is 250 years young this year, and it only gets to celebrate that grand anniversary once. For many nations, a quarter-millennium celebration of its establishment would inspire a wealth of grand reflections on its history, civic ideals and scientific achievements, cultural contributions, etcetera, etcetera, as well as musings on the journey from a noble experiment into a modern-day republic, but let’s get real: this is the United States under the leadership of one Donald J. Trump, a man whose gift for tacky merchandising is probably rivaled only by Gene Simmons.
An octagon arena, which is towered over by a massive steel lighting rig known as “The Claw,” and is being discussed as a permanent fixture on the White House lawn, in which, prizefighting will commence on June 14 is the answer to how we as Americans celebrate 250 years of this great country, and it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting symbol of the Trump era in politics.
The event, which is titled “UFC Freedom 250,” and will take place on the South Lawn of the People’s House, coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday. It will be broadcast on Paramount Plus.
Of course, this event, which features the 5,000-seat open-air arena, is only open to those with an invitation. Many astute commentators, most of them far more eloquent at hammering out a point than yours truly, have claimed that this event is not just tacky, but a profound failure of imagination.
Our country possesses a rich history, and a celebration of its 250 years as an official country could have featured a national exposition of uniquely American innovation, a massive public festival of the arts, historical reenactments, educational programs or concerts to celebrate the nation’s diverse musical traditions; events to bring Americans together. Instead, though, the Trump administration seems determined to transform the White House grounds into a pay-per-view venue.
Before I scribble on further on this topic, let me be clear about something: there is nothing inherently bad about UFC fighting. Mixed martial arts is an incredible and legit sport that requires intense skill and discipline in training, and it is enjoyed by millions of Americans. Here’s where my problem with the whole construct lies: the setting and the occasion. The White House is the People’s House and it is not some arena in Las Vegas. It is the home of the presidency and one of the most recognizable residences on Earth.
Hosting a cage fight at the White House for our country’s big anniversary feels less like a celebration of our constitutional democratic republic and more like a reality television stunt conceived during a particularly uninspired brainstorming session.
Of course, it can be argued that the spectacle of a UFC fight at the White House is perfectly on-brand with Trump’s governing style, and he has always had a great understanding of the entertainment industry, as well as publicity and spectacle. The Trump governing acumen has often blurred the lines between policy decisions and show business. Look no further than his on-air tantrum with Meet the Press’s Kristen Welker last weekend.
A UFC fight on the White House lawn is less a departure and more like the inevitable culmination of many years spent transforming politics into a branch of the entertainment industry. The late, great Frank Zappa said it best many years ago, about politics being the entertainment division of the military industrial complex, and here we are in 2026.
Americans enjoy a variety of sports, myself included, but here we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate our great nation’s accomplishments, yet it is reduced to a marketing event. Our country’s birthday should aspire to something higher than an event geared to generate viral clips and social media clicks/shares.
Also, and how can I forget this: the taxpayers (We the People). If public resources are being used to prepare, secure and support an event on the White House lawn, then the public should have some say in it. Why should the fighters on deck be left to the elite? If the taxpayers have any kind of hand in helping fund this event, then taxpayers deserve a voice as to who is in that arena.
Instead of UFC heroes, such as Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane (who are fighting for the heavyweight interim title, sponsored by Crypto.com), We the People could nominate contestants from every walk of public life.
Senators could settle legislative grudges or cable news “pundits” could finally put their grandstanding on-air toughness to the test. Just imagine this: backyard brawlers could put their names in a lottery system for the opportunity to win a match in the arena with their choice lawmaker. Can you imagine the amount of clicks/views a televised match between the winner of said contest and either Mike Johnson or Chuck Schumer would receive?
If our White House lawn is to become an arena, then it is only appropriate that the public should get to choose the combatants to fight within its space.
America’s 250th anniversary should be an occasion for dignity, deep reflection and aspiration that our country will see another 250 years, but instead, there’s the risk of symbolism that we have a political culture in Washington, D.C., now that is increasingly hard to distinguish between service and spectacle.
Future generations might look back on this celebration and ask what America chose to showcase to the world to celebrate such a big birthday. It seems unfortunate that the answer might be: an octagonal arena, a television audience and another reminder that under Trump, nearly ever civic institution eventually becomes just another show.
Chris Edwards is editor of the Tyler County Booster, a sister newspaper in the Polk County Publishing Group. He can be reached at cedwards@polkcountypublishing.com.
