A federal lawsuit filed Saturday in Washington, D.C. is seeking to stop the UFC from staging a mixed martial arts event on the White House South Lawn on June 14.
The Public Integrity Project brought the case on behalf of two Virginia residents, Paul Romano and Susan Douglas. The complaint argues the event violates National Park Service rules banning sporting events on federal parklands, that Congress never approved the arena structure being built on the South Lawn, and that no environmental review was conducted before construction began.
The lawsuit also claims the fight financially benefits President Donald Trump and UFC president Dana White. It cites reports that Trump purchased $50,000 in stock in TKO Group Holdings, the UFC's parent company, and that UFC is selling VIP packages priced up to $1.5 million. The event, called "UFC Freedom 250," falls on Trump's 80th birthday.
The White House called the lawsuit "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory." UFC has not commented. Lead attorney Brendan Ballou said he expects a ruling this week and is seeking an immediate injunction to block the even