On Sunday, June 14, 2026, the White House will host the “UFC Freedom 250” event on the South Lawn. The mixed martial arts competition marks both the 250th anniversary of the United States and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. The event features seven cage fights, culminating in a main card bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. The event is being organized by Freedom 250, an organization aligned with President Trump. While the White House stated that the UFC is footing the entire bill for the event, government filings indicate that seven government agencies and components have been involved in coordination. A spokesperson for the White House told NPR that no taxpayer dollars are being used outside of what would be applied toward employees’ normal duties. The event faced legal challenges from two Virginia residents who filed a lawsuit alleging the authorization was unlawful and violated National Park Service regulations. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta declined to block the event, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to establish standing or irreparable harm. The Department of Justice defended the authorization by comparing the event to past South Lawn activities such as state dinners and concerts. The Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit calling the event “deeply corrupt,” citing the profits for the UFC and a financial disclosure showing Trump owns up to $50,000 in stock in the company that owns the UFC. In response, the government argued the lawsuit was filed too late and that canceling the event would cause substantial harm due to the planning and labor expended. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated there are no conflicts of interest, noting that Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. The UFC event is part of a broader roster of projects tied to the nation’s anniversary, including a rally on the national mall and an IndyCar race in Washington, D.C. Other building projects mentioned by the president include a ballroom and underground military complex at the White House East Wing and a pedestrian bridge connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River.