According to Donald Trump, “the greatest show on Earth” is set to take place at the White House later today, conveniently coinciding with his 80th birthday.
The event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, will feature a series of UFC bouts held on the White House South Lawn in a specially constructed arena known as “The Claw.” The 92-foot-tall venue is expected to host around 4,000 invited spectators, with seven consecutive fights scheduled to begin at midnight Irish time.
Freedom 250 is being promoted as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary and is intended to honour what organisers describe as the “American fighting spirit.”
"The Claw" on the South Lawn
The event has attracted significant criticism, with many questioning the reasoning behind staging the fights.
Critics have pointed out that the event is taking place on Trump's birthday rather than on 4 July, the date traditionally associated with American independence celebrations. However, the event does coincide with Flag Day in the United States.
One advocacy group has even launched a federal lawsuit against the administration, describing the event as a “profound misuse of our sacred national monuments.”
Public opinion also appears divided. A recent Ipsos poll found that many Americans disapproved of the event, with just 16% of respondents saying they believed hosting the fights at the White House was appropriate.
Trump is no stranger to celebrating milestones in the public eye. His 79th birthday also coincided with a major national celebration last year.
This year, a number of public figures offered birthday wishes, including Piers Morgan and Greta Thunberg.
