President Donald Trump has proposed celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026 with a UFC fight on the White House grounds.
Speaking in Des Moines, Iowa, on the eve of July 4 — and just hours after his “Big, Beautiful Bill” narrowly passed the House of Representatives — Trump told the crowd, “We’re gonna have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
The remarks came during his “Salute to America” speech, which doubled as a celebratory moment after his flagship tax and spending bill cleared its final hurdle in Congress. The legislation passed by a narrow 218-214 margin after intense negotiations with GOP holdouts and a marathon nine-hour speech from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in opposition.
The bill increases funding for defense and border security while slashing various welfare programs. Though it stirred internal debate, Republicans ultimately united to push it through, with only two crossing the aisle to vote with Democrats.
Trump is expected to formally sign the legislation into law from the Oval Office at 4 p.m. ET on Independence Day. However, the historic moment may compete for attention with “Free America” protests scheduled in cities nationwide, where demonstrators plan to rally against the president’s policies.
