‘Reeks of corruption’: protesters rally as Trump hosts UFC event on his birthday

Donald Trump hosted the first private, for-profit sporting event on White House grounds on June 14, 2026, which coincided with his 80th birthday. The event, featuring seven mixed martial arts fights organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), took place on the Ellipse, a park south of the White House. Thousands of fight fans entered the viewing area while dozens of protesters gathered at the entrance gates, holding signs and chanting. The UFC marketed the fights as a celebration of the nation's "fighting spirit" in anticipation of its 250th anniversary. Protests against the event occurred in Washington and other locations across the US, with demonstrators expressing concerns about the use of the White House grounds for a private, commercial event.