First daughter Ivanka Trump is facilitating plans for an unprecedented UFC fight on White House grounds scheduled for 2026.
The event will commemorate America's 250th anniversary of independence, with President Donald Trump having announced the historic fight in July. According to Fox News, Ivanka Trump is working closely with UFC CEO Dana White to coordinate the patriotic celebration.
The jiu-jitsu student and longtime UFC fan will not hold an official role but is instead serving as a key facilitator for the planning process. A source close to Ivanka Trump confirmed her involvement stems from her passion for the sport and desire to celebrate American culture.
President Trump first revealed the White House UFC fight during a July speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Independence Day eve. He emphasized the significance of hosting the event on White House grounds, noting the ample space available for such a spectacle.
The announcement marked a bold departure from traditional White House events, positioning the mixed martial arts competition as part of America250 celebrations. Trump specifically mentioned UFC CEO Dana White during his speech, highlighting their collaborative relationship in bringing this vision to reality.
White confirmed in August that the fight would "absolutely happen" and previewed it as a tribute to America's quarter-millennium milestone. The UFC executive described the planned event as honoring the nation's 250th birthday with an unprecedented athletic showcase.
Dana White announced that CBS will broadcast the White House UFC event live on July 4, 2026, marking America's 250th independence anniversary. The UFC CEO promised "the baddest card of all time" during a recent podcast appearance, suggesting top-tier fighter participation.
White revealed that retired champion Jon Jones has re-entered the drug-testing pool specifically for this event, following his June retirement celebration. Jones previously gained attention for performing Trump-like dance moves after his recent victory.
The unprecedented nature of hosting a professional fight on White House grounds has generated significant interest among fighters. White told the "Full Send Podcast" that "everybody wants to fight on this card," indicating widespread enthusiasm within the UFC community.
White disclosed that President Trump specifically requested Ivanka Trump's involvement in coordinating the White House UFC event. The UFC CEO told CBS Mornings that Trump called him directly and stated his desire for his daughter to be central to the planning process.
Following the president's request, Ivanka Trump reached out to White to discuss logistics and possibilities for the event location. White has prepared detailed renderings showing potential setups for the fight on the White House South Lawn.
This collaboration represents Ivanka Trump's return to a quasi-political role after maintaining distance from the spotlight since her father's first administration. Her involvement bridges her personal interest in martial arts with the administration's America250 celebration plans.
The White House UFC fight forms part of broader America250 celebrations planned across national parks, battlefields, and historic sites. President Trump outlined these commemorative events during his July speech, emphasizing the historic significance of the quarter-millennium milestone.
The integration of UFC into official anniversary celebrations reflects the administration's approach to connecting with American popular culture. This strategy positions mixed martial arts as representative of contemporary American athletic achievement and entertainment.
Ivanka Trump's facilitation role demonstrates the family's commitment to making the 250th anniversary celebration memorable and accessible to diverse audiences. Her background as both a jiu-jitsu practitioner and UFC enthusiast positions her uniquely to bridge official protocol with sports entertainment logistics.
