Key facts
- President Trump hosted a UFC event at the Lincoln Memorial, drawing thousands of fans.
- The event coincided with the nation's 250th anniversary and President Trump's 80th birthday.
- A lawsuit challenging the event's location on federal land was dismissed by a judge.
- Crypto firms secured significant branding opportunities at the event.
- Fans expressed enthusiasm for the sport and its historical connection to White House events.
Thousands of fans gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for a UFC event coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary and President Trump's 80th birthday. The event, which featured mixed martial arts fighters making their entrance past the Lincoln Memorial statue, drew enthusiasts from across the U.S. and internationally.
The UFC reportedly spent $60 million on the festivities, which President Trump promoted as 'the greatest show on earth.' Despite criticism from groups like the Public Integrity Project, which filed a lawsuit describing the event as a 'private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain,' a federal judge ruled on Friday that the White House could proceed with hosting the event on federal land.
According to Ipsos Sports polling, about 1 in 10 U.S. adults consider themselves mixed martial arts fans, with fans skewing male, nonwhite, and more likely to identify as Republican. Fans present at the event dismissed criticism regarding the White House's involvement, with some drawing parallels to historical events like Teddy Roosevelt's boxing sessions at the White House. UFC fighter Randy Brown also participated in a community event at a local boxing gym, engaging with teenagers.