President Donald Trump is now reportedly signaling that the massive UFC arena currently rising on the White House South Lawn may not be as temporary as originally planned.
In a video posted Tuesday to his official TikTok account, Trump suggested the structure being built for a special June 14 UFC event could remain in place long after the final bell rings.
“I’m looking at it and maybe we’ll never ever take it down,” Trump said while discussing the project.
The arena is being constructed to host a UFC fight card on the president’s birthday as part of a broader slate of events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The planned event, dubbed “UFC Freedom Fights,” is expected to feature six primetime bouts, according to the UFC.
Trump used a famous international landmark to illustrate his point about temporary projects sometimes becoming permanent fixtures. Drawing a comparison to Paris’s Eiffel Tower, the president noted that the structure was originally intended to be a short-term installation for the 1889 World’s Fair.
According to the Eiffel Tower’s official history, the landmark was initially conceived as a temporary attraction. Trump recounted how attitudes toward the tower changed over time.
“And then they said, ‘We sort of like it, let’s leave it up a little longer,’” Trump said. “And then, they said, ‘Let’s leave it up longer and longer and longer.’”
He added that the tower ultimately remained standing permanently and suggested a similar fate could await the new White House arena.
“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.
The possibility of making the arena a lasting feature appeared to gain at least some support from within the administration. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung responded to an ABC News report discussing the proposal by posting a gif of actor Jack Nicholson nodding on his personal social media account.
Construction on the venue began at the end of May. The arena itself is expected to seat approximately 4,500 people, creating an unusual setting for a major sporting event on the grounds of the executive mansion.
Trump has also indicated that far larger crowds may be able to participate in the festivities. Speaking with reporters in April, he said between 50,000 and 100,000 additional spectators would be able to view the fights on large screens positioned throughout the Ellipse.
The event reflects Trump’s long-standing relationship with UFC leadership. The president has maintained close ties with UFC President and CEO Dana White and has frequently attended UFC events during his time in public office.
The construction project is also transforming a portion of the White House grounds that has traditionally been used for a variety of presidential and public events. The South Lawn regularly hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll and the Congressional Picnic. It also serves as the landing and departure area for Marine One as presidents travel between the White House and Joint Base Andrews.
Whether the arena ultimately becomes a permanent fixture remains uncertain. For now, it stands as one of the most visible and unconventional additions to the White House grounds as preparations continue for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
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