New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani recently shared unexpected details about his White House meeting with President Donald Trump, revealing an unusual discovery in the waiting area that has sparked conversation across political and sports circles.
The Unexpected White House Discovery
During an appearance on The Adam Friedland Show, the democratic socialist politician described what he called the weirdest thing he encountered while waiting for his meeting with the president. Mamdani explained that he found himself surrounded by various coffee table books, with one particular publication catching his attention.
One of them is 'UFC at the White House,' Mamdani revealed, noting that he had no prior knowledge about the mixed martial arts event scheduled to take place on the South Lawn. The mayor-elect admitted to flipping through the book, which contained visualizations of how the UFC's signature octagon-shaped cage would appear on the historic grounds.
Controversial UFC Event Details Emerge
The upcoming UFC event, first teased by President Trump in July as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, has generated significant controversy. The event is scheduled for June 14, 2026, coinciding with President Trump's 80th birthday, and plans include fighter weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial.
UFC President and CEO Dana White, who has endorsed Trump since his 2016 campaign, provided additional details during a September interview with Fox News. White revealed that security concerns have reduced seating capacity to approximately 5,000 spectators, a substantial decrease from Trump's initial estimate of up to 25,000 attendees.
Financial and Logistical Considerations
In an October interview with Sports Business Journal, White addressed concerns about the event's impact on the White House property. The UFC executive confirmed his organization would pay $700,000 to replace and restore the White House lawn following the event.
White also proposed an alternative viewing arrangement, suggesting that a park near the White House could accommodate up to 85,000 people watching the event on television screens, potentially addressing the reduced seating capacity at the actual venue.
When asked by host Adam Friedland if he planned to attend the controversial 2026 event, Mamdani responded with a simple No accompanied by a chuckle, indicating his lack of interest in the unprecedented sporting event planned for the presidential grounds.
