The thunderstorms brewing over Washington D.C. have thrown a spanner in the works of a highly anticipated – and potentially lucrative – Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event scheduled for the White House South Lawn this Sunday. As President Donald Trump prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday amidst America's 250th anniversary celebrations, the chances of severe weather disrupting proceedings are looking increasingly likely.
The US National Weather Service has issued a warning for Washington D.C., forecasting 'damaging thunderstorms' for Sunday evening, with temperatures expected to hover around 27C and humidity exceeding 70%. With a 70% chance of rain and up to 12mm of precipitation forecasted, the event's organisers are bracing themselves for potential disruptions or force majeure, which could see attendees forced to seek shelter.
Despite controversy surrounding the event – including a lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project over alleged 'deeply corrupt' ties between Trump and UFC President Dana White – the mixed martial arts spectacle is expected to draw an estimated 4,300 invited guests, with a further 85,000 spectators set to gather in a nearby fan zone. The UFC has reportedly invested around £45 million in the event, including a considerable sum for post-event grass repairs on the South Lawn, which regularly hosts official functions such as the Easter Egg Roll.
The historic event, the first professional sporting contest at the US presidential residence, was arranged by President Trump and Dana White, who have maintained a long-standing friendship. However, public sentiment appears divided, with only 16% of Americans considering it appropriate to host a UFC fight at the White House, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll – a stark contrast to the 46% who deem it inappropriate.
The event is part of a series of high-profile occasions marking America's 250th anniversary. President Trump has hailed the UFC as 'the greatest show on Earth', drawing parallels with the iconic Eiffel Tower, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has praised the UFC as 'the definition of American soft diplomatic power'. In a separate announcement, Rubio unveiled a new private-public partnership to leverage the sport for diplomatic purposes.