WASHINGTON, D.C. – A lawsuit filed Saturday seeks to block a UFC event scheduled to take place at the White House on June 14, arguing that the planned fight card does not qualify as a federal event celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s plans for the event, which is scheduled to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs describe the event as “deeply corrupt” and allege that Trump could benefit financially from it.
According to the lawsuit, Trump purchased up to $50,000 in stock earlier this year in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC.
The plaintiffs argue that the president has a financial interest in the event and that the fight card is being organized by private entities rather than the federal government.
“The event is neither ‘for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence’ nor, crucially, being ‘planned, organized, and executed’ by the federal government,” the lawsuit states.
The filing further argues that “UFC Freedom 250” is a private, for-profit sporting event organized by UFC, its broadcast partners and advertisers, and is intended to promote the UFC brand rather than commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Attorneys also cite reports that UFC is selling VIP packages ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million per person.
The lawsuit contends that the event does not meet the requirements of a temporary rule issued by the National Park Service.
That rule allows certain permit requirements to be suspended for special events “planned, organized, and executed” by executive branch agencies or the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence on Washington monument grounds.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the event from moving forward. No ruling had been issued as of Saturday.
