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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alex Woodward

Lawsuit seeks to block Trump’s UFC fight at White House

  • A federal judge is weighing a temporary restraining order to halt a planned UFC fight on the White House lawn, scheduled to coincide with Donald Trump ’s 80th birthday.
  • The Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit, alleging the event is "deeply corrupt" and will give the UFC “unfettered access” to turn Washington, D.C.’s taxpayer-funded landmarks into billboards.
  • The Department of Justice argues the lawsuit is too late, citing UFC's $60 million investment and an additional $700,000 committed for lawn restoration, stating cancellation would waste extensive planning and resources.
  • Plaintiffs contend the administration "concealed the true nature of the event for months,” which they assert is a money-making enterprise with multi-million-dollar sponsorships and revenue from a broadcast agreement.
  • The event, designated as a "presidential priority event celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” features a 92-foot octagon stage, a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial and "Trump Coins" marketed as a collaboration between UFC and the Trump Organization.

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