WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said the Ultimate Fighting Championship arena recently installed on the White House South Lawn could remain a permanent fixture after the night of June 14 fights is over.
Trump, in a June 2 video posted on TikTok, compared the soaring UFC arena, known as “The Claw,” to France’s Eiffel Tower, which he said was supposed to be taken down after the 1889 World’s Fair.
“Well, they never took it down, and you know, we’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people,” Trump said in the video. “It’s going to have the big UFC fight on June 14. And I’m looking at it, and maybe we’ll never, ever take it down.”
Trump, who ended his remarks with a quick smile, was perhaps just jabbing his critics with a suggestion sure to prompt questions. Then again, Trump has never shied up away from breaking White House norms ‒ hence, holding the UFC event in the first place.
The 90-foot tall structure soars above the White House and will support lighting, audio and video boards above the octagon-shaped cage where the UFC fighters will compete. The apparatus can be viewed from most angles of the White House, making the grounds look much like a theme park.
Trump has said the arena will hold about 5,000 spectators, promising the fight night will be the “biggest event we’ve ever had at the White House.” It falls on Trump’s 80th birthday and Flag Day, and it’s part of the administration’s year of celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. UFC is expected to cover costs to hold the event.
Trump has said an additional 75,000-100,000 spectators can watch the UFC event for free on large screens further away from the White House Ellipse.
The temporary UFC arena has added to what’s suddenly become a crowded White House skyline as two construction cranes for Trump’s massive ballroom work on the east side of the iconic building.
The UFC overhaul has forced Trump to cease temporarily cease travel on Marine One to and from the South Lawn and instead rely on motorcade to go back and forth to Joint Base Andrews, where the president boards Air Force One.
Trump was joined in the White House on May 6 by UFC fighters Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, who are facing off in the headliner fight, as well as Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, who will compete in one of the other seven fights.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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