00:02The UFC's planned fight night at the White House next weekend is facing a legal challenge
00:07just days before the event. Crews are already building the venue on the South Lawn for the
00:13June 14th cage matches, which President Trump has promoted as part of the nation's 250th
00:18birthday celebration. The date also coincides with Trump's 80th birthday. Now two Virginia
00:24residents, including a Vietnam vet, are suing to stop it. The lawsuit argues the White House is
00:30being used for a private, for-profit sporting event that was never properly authorized.
00:36Plaintiffs also dispute the administration's claim that the UFC event qualifies as an official
00:42America 250 celebration. Quote, the event is neither for the celebration of the 250th anniversary
00:49of American independence, nor, crucially, being planned, organized, and executed by the federal
00:55government. The complaint alleges the event could financially benefit UFC President Dana White
01:00and Trump, citing Trump's investment in UFC's parent company and reports of million-dollar VIP
01:06packages. One plaintiff, Vietnam veteran Paul Romano, says using the Lincoln Memorial for
01:12fighter weigh-ins is inappropriate. Quote, the Lincoln Memorial is sacred ground, and it honors
01:18everyone who has ever worn this country's uniform. Using it as a backdrop for a for-profit cage
01:24fight so the President and his friends can make money is a desecration. In his statement to The
01:30Hill, the White House called the lawsuit baseless and says the event is no different than other
01:35gatherings held on White House grounds.
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