Key facts
- A judge rejected a lawsuit seeking to stop the UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House.
- The event is part of celebrations for the nation's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
- The judge cited significant costs and planning involved in stopping the event.
- Plaintiffs argued the event is a profit-driven venture using public monuments.
- The White House expressed gratitude for the decision and looks forward to hosting the event.
A judge has rejected a lawsuit that sought to halt the UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House, allowing the event to proceed. The lawsuit was filed by political organizer Susan Douglas and Air Force veteran Paul Romano, backed by the progressive group Public Integrity Project, who argued the event is a profit-driven venture for President Donald Trump and his allies, utilizing public monuments for financial gain.
The judge found that stopping the event would incur enormous costs, citing nearly a year of planning, the involvement of up to 900 workers, thousands of ticketed guests, and $60 million already spent by the UFC. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated the court rightly rejected the "untimely and frivolous effort" and expressed gratitude for the decision.
The UFC Freedom 250 fight card is part of a slate of events celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary and President Trump's 80th birthday. Crews are erecting an octagon-shaped cage on the South Lawn, with plans to accommodate up to 5,000 spectators in the arena and an additional 85,000 free tickets for viewing on large screens at the nearby Ellipse.