‘A gift to the people’. An arena has been erected outside the White House for fights to mark Trump’s 80th birthday
This is according to the AP.
Trump has announced his intention to hold UFC fights at the White House in front of a thousand spectators to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence, which falls on 4 July. However, the first fights will take place as early as 14 June — Trump’s birthday, as well as US Flag Day. Despite this, the White House is dedicating these fights to Independence Day. The event itself has been dubbed UFC Freedom 250.
Around 4,300 spectators will have the opportunity to watch the action from the south lawn of the White House. A further 85,000 tickets have been sold for a massive party in the neighbouring Ellips Park, where fans will be able to watch the fights on big screens.
An octagonal arena with a diameter of nine metres has already been erected near the White House. Towering above the arena is ‘The Claw’ — a tetrahedral statue that rises in an arc over 27 metres into the air and is equipped with lighting, speakers, thick cables and four large screens.
Journalists have spotted logos of various sponsors in the arena: Morgan & Morgan, Bud Light, Dodge Ram, Corona Extra and Polymarket, among others. The White House claims that the UFC is covering the costs, although seven federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, have “allocated significant human resources”.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a partnership agreement with UFC boss Dana White to promote mixed martial arts internationally.
“This is a gift to the American people,” Rubio said. He suggested that the event would be watched by “probably a billion people around the world”.
UFC podcaster and commentator Joe Rogan, who is due to work during the fights at the White House, criticised the organisation, claiming that the weather in Washington, according to the same data from last year, was “bloody hot”, and that fighters should not take part in events not held in a controlled, air-conditioned arena. The UFC has held just one outdoor fight in its history — in Abu Dhabi in 2010 — and CEO Dana White later complained about problems caused by humidity, heat and insects.
Trump described the arena as “quite attractive to many people” and even suggested that perhaps the temporary structure could become permanent, like the Eiffel Tower. However, it is unclear whether he was being serious. Joshua Fisher, the White House Director of Management and Administration, assured that the arena would be dismantled immediately after the event.
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