White House press corps barred from the grounds for 'UFC Freedom 250' on June 14; rights-holder Paramount controls even the filming zones
For the first time, press credentials for a White House-hosted event will be issued by a private company rather than the White House itself, and the resident press corps will be shut out of the grounds on the day of the event.
Jung Han
According to reporting by Axios and The Washington Post on June 9 (local time), media accreditation for 'UFC Freedom 250,' to be staged on the South Lawn on June 14, is being handled entirely by UFC, and outlets without a UFC credential will be barred from the briefing room and press workspaces. As live sports has become the core asset of streaming platforms, rights-holders taking control of event operations has become the industry norm — and that control has now extended to press access at the presidential residence. Paramount, the parent of CBS, holds the exclusive rights to broadcast UFC matches to pay-per-view audiences on Paramount+.
The South Lawn as a Stage for a Birthday and a Semiquincentennial
The event is designed to celebrate President Donald Trump's 80th birthday while also kicking off festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. UFC is erecting a giant cage-fighting ring on the South Lawn, with crane-assisted construction underway since late May. Dana White, who runs UFC, is a longtime confidant and prominent supporter of the president. A private milestone, a national commemoration, and a commercial sports production are converging on a single stage: the White House.