Former US President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday with an extraordinary Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held on the South Lawn of the White House. The spectacle, dubbed 'Freedom 250', coincided with America's 250th anniversary celebrations, drawing both fervent support and sharp criticism, including from comedian Bill Maher.
During Friday night's episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host expressed his disapproval, referring to the former president as 'our redneck president' and describing the event as 'gladiator games on his birthday'. Maher also referenced Trump's repeated claims of an imminent peace deal with Iran, suggesting the former president had made such statements dozens of times.
The elaborate setup for the UFC fight included a towering 92-foot 'Claw' structure above an octagon-shaped stage, surrounded by arena-style seating. The event was expected to host over 4,000 attendees, with an additional 120,000 visitors anticipated for a watch party in a nearby park. Brand names and company logos, including Polymarket and Bud Light, were prominently displayed, indicating significant commercial sponsorship.
However, the event faced a last-minute legal challenge. A federal lawsuit was filed, accusing the Trump administration of granting the UFC 'unfettered access' to transform public landmarks into profitable advertising spaces. Court documents revealed that the UFC had committed £47.5 million (equivalent to $60 million) to the event, with expectations of drawing multi-million pound sponsorships and revenue from a broadcast agreement with Paramount+, a streaming platform associated with Trump allies.
White House officials stated that the UFC was covering the costs for the extensive production, though several federal agencies reportedly allocated substantial resources and personnel. Adding to the complexities, forecasted rain threatened to disrupt the outdoor event entirely, raising concerns about the feasibility of the unprecedented spectacle.