First the bugs, and now this! A legal challenge has been filed just days before the UFC’s planned White House card, aiming to stop the event from taking place on federal grounds.
The lawsuit, filed by retired Air Force Sergeant Paul Romano and civic activist Susan Douglas, targets the UFC’s upcoming event scheduled for June 14 on the White House South Lawn.
Plaintiffs challenge legality of White House UFC event
In a press release, the event is described in strong terms by the plaintiffs and their legal team.
The complaint calls UFC White House “a corrupt scheme to hand the White House South Lawn and Lincoln Memorial to a private, for-profit sports promoter in violation of federal law.”
Attorney Samuel T. Ward-Packard of the Public Integrity Project said in the filing that the event is tied to financial interests involving UFC leadership and political figures.
“The event, scheduled for June 14, was conceived by President Trump and organized by UFC CEO Dana White, a close personal ally of Trump, and will benefit both men financially.”
The filing also points to financial activity and promotional plans tied to the card, including VIP packages and planned fight week activities near national landmarks.
Legal arguments and potential roadblock
The complaint outlines three main legal claims. It argues the event violates National Park Service rules that restrict sporting events on federal parklands. It also claims staging structures, including “The Claw,” lack congressional approval. A third claim raises concerns over possible taxpayer costs tied to repairs at the South Lawn.
“The President arranged to hand two of America’s most cherished monuments to a private corporation so he and his allies could profit from them. That is corruption,”
“These monuments belong to all of us Americans, not to Dana White, not to advertisers like Crypto.com, and not to Donald Trump.”
The plaintiffs are also seeking a temporary restraining order that could halt the event while the case is reviewed in court.