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A federal lawsuit has been filed to halt a UFC event planned for the White House grounds on Sunday, June 14, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The lawsuit, filed by the Public Integrity Project in the District of Columbia federal court, argues that the event would improperly use federal land to benefit a private company without obtaining necessary congressional approval.
The plaintiffs claim that the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service violated federal law by organizing a private sporting event on public property and failing to conduct an environmental review before constructing the UFC's claw stadium structure on the South Lawn. Brendan Ballou, the lead attorney for the Public Integrity Project, stated, "We think that this is a profound misuse of our sacred national monuments for private gain."
A Trump administration official dismissed the lawsuit as "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory," asserting that the event is similar to other White House-hosted events. The UFC has scheduled a news conference at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, June 12, with weigh-ins at the Ellipse on Saturday and the fights on the White House South Lawn on Sunday.
The lawsuit also highlights financial concerns, including $1.5 million sponsorship packages and exclusive streaming deals with Paramount. The event is part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, but the lawsuit claims it is more a celebration of the UFC and President Trump's birthday than of America's independence.
Ballou anticipates a ruling on the emergency injunction application this week. Meanwhile, the UFC has not responded to requests for comment.