Last-minute lawsuit seeks to block UFC White House event over 'corrupt scheme' claims

A federal lawsuit filed days before the UFC White House card is set to take place is seeking to shut down the event, with plaintiffs arguing it represents an unlawful transfer of two of America’s most prominent public spaces to a private corporation for financial gain.

The suit was filed by Paul Romano, a retired Air Force Sergeant and Vietnam veteran, and Susan Douglas, a longtime civic activist, both of whom say they are acting to “preserve Washington’s monumental spaces.” Lead attorney Samuel T. Ward-Packard of the Public Integrity Project describes the event as “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.”

The complaint centres on three specific legal objections. First, it argues the event violates National Park Service agreements that prohibit sporting events on federal parklands and does not qualify for any recognised regulatory exemption. Second, it contends that “The Claw” — part of the staging infrastructure being erected on the South Lawn — lacks the congressional authorisation required for construction on federal parklands. Third, the plaintiffs raise concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers for repairing damage to the South Lawn after the event.

The lawsuit also highlights the financial interests of those involved. According to Ward-Packard, President Trump purchased up to $50,000 in TKO stock — the UFC’s parent company — earlier this spring, while UFC CEO Dana White’s organisation is selling VIP packages priced at $1.5 million each. One TKO executive reportedly described the event as “the greatest earned-marketing tool of all time.”

“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,” plaintiff Susan Douglas said in a statement. “These monuments belong to all of us Americans, not to Dana White, not to advertisers, and not to Donald Trump. We’re asking the court to enforce the law because the administration refuses to.”

The plaintiffs are also filing for a temporary restraining order, which, if granted, could halt the event entirely while the court reviews the case. The UFC White House card, scheduled for June 14, is headlined by Ilia Topuria defending against Justin Gaethje for the undisputed lightweight title.