Trump Hints 'Eiffel Tower'-Style UFC Arena Could Remain After June 14 Event

President Donald Trump has drawn a parallel between the temporary UFC arena being constructed on the White House grounds and the Eiffel Tower, suggesting the structure might not be dismantled after the upcoming event. With construction underway, workers are currently erecting domed arches over a staging area that will transform into the iconic octagon for the fight on June 14.

The event, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of Washington DC, serves as a celebration of 250 years of American independence. During a video posted to TikTok, Trump speculated that the venue could have a permanent legacy similar to the Paris landmark.

"Many don't know that it was supposed to be taken down immediately after the World's Fair," Trump explained. He noted that while the Eiffel Tower was originally intended to stand for only two decades, the French authorities eventually decided to preserve it. "They said 'you know, we sort of like it, let's leave it up a little longer'. And then they said 'let's leave it longer and longer' and they never took it down."

Citing the structure's appeal, Trump added, "We're building something in front of the White House that's quite attractive to a lot of people. And I'm looking at it and maybe we'll never, ever take it down."

The occasion is designated as "UFC Freedom 250," with the organization investing approximately $60 million (£44.3m) into the production. The main card features a unification lightweight championship match between Ilia Topuria, the Georgian-Spanish titleholder, and Justin Gaethje, the American interim champion. Additionally, Brazil’s Alex Pereira will challenge France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event.

UFC President Dana White previously stated that the South Lawn will host 4,300 attendees, predominantly military personnel. Furthermore, 85,000 complimentary tickets will be distributed to the general public for viewing at the adjacent Ellipse Park. The UFC has confirmed that no tickets will be sold to the public.

While the White House has previously hosted recreational activities, this marks the first professional live sporting event held on the property. The arena’s construction is part of a broader series of renovations by the Trump administration since he returned to the White House for a second term last year. These projects have included adding gold accents to the Oval Office, paving the rose garden to create a patio, renovating the bathroom near the Lincoln bedroom, and demolishing the East Wing to construct a new ballroom.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 10:28:43 UTC