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