President Donald Trump has suggested the Ultimate Fighting Championship cage under construction on the White House South Lawn might become a permanent fixture, comparing it to Paris's Eiffel Tower in remarks posted to TikTok this week.
The steel structure, which will host the Freedom 250 fight card on June 14, drew Trump's musing about durability and legacy. In the video, he recounted how the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Paris Exposition with plans for demolition after the fair closed. "They said, 'You know we sort of like it, let's leave it up a little bit longer,' and then they said, 'Let's leave it up longer and longer and longer,' he explained, before pivoting to his own construction project. "We're building something in front of the White House that's quite attractive to a lot of people. Maybe we'll never ever take it down."
The octagonal cage rises 90 feet from the South Lawn, fashioned from steel arches shaped like a claw and studded with dozens of cameras. The structure displays overlaid American flag patterns and will accommodate roughly 4,500 spectators for the mid-June event, with priority seating reserved for military members. Another 75,000 to 100,000 people can watch from nearby screens at the Ellipsis.
The UFC is financing the entire operation. Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group Holdings, UFC's parent company, has pegged the total cost at a minimum of $60 million when accounting for construction, fighter compensation, and fan accommodations. The event is not expected to generate profit. UFC president Dana White also committed approximately $700,000 to restore the White House grass after the fights conclude.
Freedom 250 will feature seven fights, including two title bouts: lightweight champion Ilia Topuria facing Justin Gaethje and heavyweight titlist Alex Pereira squaring off with Ciryl Gane. The card has received a cool response from both fighters and fans despite the historic venue and presidential backing.
The White House construction push extends beyond the UFC cage. Since Trump's reelection, gold accents have been added to the Oval Office, part of the Rose Garden has been paved over, and the East Wing has been demolished to make room for a ballroom.
Author James Rodriguez: "Comparing a fight cage to the Eiffel Tower might seem like a stretch, but it perfectly captures Trump's view of himself as a builder leaving permanent marks on American institutions."
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