Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s UFC event at White House

Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized Donald Trump’s plan to host a UFC event on the White House South Lawn, saying the venue is inappropriate and questioning the cost to taxpayers.

The Georgia Republican’s comments add another public sign of friction between Greene and Trump, her former ally, as the unusual event draws closer.

Greene’s criticism

Greene said the White House is not an appropriate place for a combat-sports spectacle. She also raised concerns about who will pay for the event, adding a taxpayer-cost argument to her criticism.

Her remarks place her among the Republican voices publicly breaking with Trump over the optics of turning the White House grounds into a fight-night stage.

The event itself

The UFC event is scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the White House South Lawn. AP described it as part of Trump’s 80th birthday celebration and tied to the broader U.S. 250th anniversary.

The White House and UFC have framed the event as part of the semiquincentennial celebration. Dana White has said the idea came from Trump.

Political backdrop

The planned fight has already generated attention because of the setting alone: the White House grounds are being used for a high-profile combat-sports event.

According to earlier reporting, the event has also faced legal opposition, though a federal judge ruled it could proceed.

Greene has recently distanced herself from Trump, and her criticism adds to the broader political and cultural backlash around the event.

What happens next

The main open questions are whether the White House responds directly to Greene, what funding arrangement will be used for the event, and whether other Republicans follow her lead or reject the criticism.

For now, the UFC show remains scheduled for June 14, with the White House and UFC continuing to present it as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations.