Dwayne Johnson Declines Invitation to White House UFC Event
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will not attend the upcoming UFC event at the White House on June 14, according to reporting from Vanity Fair. The actor joins a growing list of high-profile figures who have opted out of the event, which is being held in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary and coincides with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Who is attending the UFC Freedom 250 event?
While the event has drawn significant attention, several celebrities initially linked to the guest list have confirmed they will not be in attendance. Vanity Fair reported that representatives for Adam Sandler, Jared Leto, and Mario Lopez have confirmed their clients will miss the event.
The initial guest list, as detailed in a recent interview with UFC CEO Dana White in TIME, included:
- Tom Brady
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- Jared Leto
- Guy Ritchie
- Adam Sandler
- Jason Statham
- Mario Lopez
As of now, representatives for Tom Brady, Guy Ritchie, and Jason Statham have not confirmed their status. Mario Lopez’s representative told HuffPost that his absence is due to work commitments. Neither the White House nor the UFC provided comment to Vanity Fair regarding the final guest list.
What is the scale of the White House fight card?
The event, billed as UFC Freedom 250, is set to feature a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. According to TIME, the event will host roughly 4,300 people. Of those, at least 1,200 seats are reserved for active-duty military members, with the remaining capacity distributed among the White House, UFC, and TKO Group Holdings.
Beyond the main event, the scope of the weekend’s festivities extends to the nearby Ellipse. A separate viewing party is planned for that location, with expectations that it will draw as many as 85,000 spectators. The celebration is scheduled to include a performance by the Zac Brown Band on June 13, the night before the main card.
How is the event being funded?
The logistical and financial backing for the event has been a point of public discussion. According to Dana White, the UFC is covering the costs associated with staging the show. This event represents a continuation of the organization’s high-profile presence in the political sphere, following recent events such as the UFC 327 card held at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
As the date approaches, the focus remains on the main card matchups and the logistical management of the crowds gathered on the South Lawn and the surrounding areas. While high-profile absences like Johnson’s have generated headlines, the UFC continues to move forward with plans for what the organization has framed as a historic milestone in the sport’s growth.