There’s a lot of America happening this weekend. For good or ill.
Sunday June 14 is Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes 249 years ago . It is also the birthday of the current president of the United States who was born 80 years ago.
Both will culminate in the UFC Freedom 250 event on the same day — a sort of kick off to America’s 250th birthday celebration in Washington. This event will feature mixed martial arts matches in a giant steel cage on the South Lawn of the White House for Donald Trump and select, invite-only fans. It will stream for Paramount+ subscribers at 8 p.m.EST in the US and UK; CBS will also provide live U.S. coverage, while TNT Sports and HBO Max allow access to the fights in the UK. Reportedly arranged by Trump and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White, this seven-match card will be headlined by a title unification match between UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
If you have no idea what this is or why it is being staged on the White House lawn, you wouldn't be alone. UFC is a very large and profitable international company, but outside of major names that transcend the sport like Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor, this weekend’s event certainly won’t appeal to all Americans.
But it is definitely for one American. That’s really the entire point.
Full disclosure: I am a casual UFC fan but an even bigger professional wrestling enthusiast, a pseudo-sport with which Trump is more than familiar. He joined the World Wrestling Entertainment’s Hall of Fame in 2013. WrestleMania IV and V were held at Trump Plaza in the late 1980s. In 2007, Trump would shave the head of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon in front of thousands at WrestleMania 23, and in 2009, Trump “bought” the WWE. McMahon’s long separated-from-but-not-divorced wife, Linda McMahon, was the head of the Small Business Administration in Trump’s first term and leads the Department of Education in his current term. Needless to say, Trump’s personal and professional identity is closely tied to this strain of combat sport. Not just the sport but the spectacle, the audience, the drama. Before he was president, Trump was already performing in front of thousands in arenas and millions on television — for WWE. When I first heard Trump wanted to have UFC matches at the White House as part of the 250th Declaration of Independence celebration, I chuckled. Of course he did.
He might not be able to bodyslam anyone or slap on a figure four leglock, but Donald Trump is a professional wrestler. He works crowds. He cuts promos. He browbeats and bullies. He embraces the kayfabe. The validity of his threats are often beside the point. Ask Iran. Trump staging Sunday's fights on the lawn of the White House is controversial, to say the least. A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month found that only 16% thought it was appropriate. A You Gov survey had 40% of respondents saying they “strongly disapprove” of the event and 11% saying they “somewhat disapprove.” Only 12% “strongly approved” and 15% “somewhat approved.”
Many celebrities invited to the White House the weekend are taking a pass , including former WWE champion and Hollywood megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson . Even some UFC fighters are reportedly not happy about it. UFC veteran Sean Strickland claimed that the UFC banned him from the event after comments he made about Israel and the Epstein files, a claim that Dana White has denied . Partisanship will color perceptions of the event, no doubt about it. Of course the bread and circuses vibe is pervasive as the U.S. wages a war on Iran — one that has no clear end in sight and according to Trump was supposed to be over months ago. Inflation is at the highest point since 2023. His administration also has unfinished business in Gaza and Ukraine and has been threatening to overthrow the regime in Cuba.
But no matter the optics, Donald Trump prefers to celebrate his birthday like an emperor in a box at a coliseum watching gladiator games and other spectacles. It’s his party and he can cry or hold mixed martial arts matches if he wants to.
For the rest of us, Happy Flag Day.