President Donald Trump just compared a temporary UFC arena outside the White House to the Eiffel Tower, and that was enough to set off a fresh round of questions.
The structure is being built on the White House South Lawn for ‘UFC Freedom 250,’ a mixed martial arts event scheduled for June 14. That date also happens to be Flag Day and Trump’s 80th birthday.
The arena is meant to be temporary. Trump, however, floated a different idea in a TikTok video posted on June 2.
Trump Compared The UFC Arena To The Eiffel Tower
In the video, filmed inside the Oval Office, Trump brought up the Eiffel Tower and its original purpose.
“Many don’t know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889 it was built, was supposed to be taken down immediately after the World’s Fair,” Trump said. “And then they said, ‘You know, we sort of like it, let’s leave it up a little bit longer.’”
Then came the comparison. “Well, they never took it down,” Trump said. “You know, we’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people. It’s going to have a big UFC fight on June 14, and I’m looking at it, and maybe we’ll never take it down.”
The White House did not immediately provide additional comment on whether Trump was joking, floating a serious idea, or simply talking up the event.
UFC Is Coming To The White House Lawn
The arena will host the first mixed martial arts event of its kind at the White House. Construction began last week, with tall stage lights decorated in stars and stripes changing the look of the executive mansion’s South Lawn.
The event, ‘UFC Freedom 250,’ will include seven UFC matchups and stream live on Paramount+. The South Lawn arena is expected to seat more than 4,000 people. A free fan event on the Ellipse, the 52-acre park between the White House and the National Mall, is expected to hold about 85,000 people.
UFC shared renderings of the outdoor setup on X last month, including its signature octagonal cage. “History in the making,” the company wrote.
Dana White Said Trump Floated The Idea Earlier
UFC president and CEO Dana White recently said Trump first brought up the White House fight idea while the two were attending a UFC event together last year.
Trump later formally announced the plan as part of the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. The UFC event is one of several planned commemorations, along with the ‘Freedom 250 Grand Prix,’ an IndyCar race set for the streets of Washington, D.C.
Still, the arena is now drawing attention for another reason.
A UFC fight on the White House lawn was already unusual. Trump suggesting the structure might stay there makes the whole thing even stranger.
