(Removes erroneous reference to day of week in first paragraph)
By Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON, June 3 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he might keep the Ultimate Fighting Championship cage-fighting arena being built on the lawn of the White House as a permanent fixture.
The Republican compared the structure, which is being built for a night of cage fighting to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence — on Trump’s 80th birthday — to France’s Eiffel Tower which was supposed to have been dismantled 20 years after it was built in 1889.
“We’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people,” said a smiling Trump in a TikTok video on Tuesday. “It’s gonna have the big UFC fight on June 14 … maybe we’ll never ever take it down.”
It is unclear whether Trump, who has gained a reputation for breaking White House norms, was teasing a plan that’s under consideration or simply joking on the short video platform, which is popular among younger people.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The UFC event, which is expected to be attended by over 4,000 people, will be part of a series of events in Washington, D.C., for the U.S.’ semiquincentennial. Many of those spectators are expected to be military personnel.
Four pieces of giant metal scaffolding now rise in front of the White House, looming over the Truman Balcony, a columned terrace overlooking the South Lawn. Video screens will be suspended from them.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; editing by Scott Malone)
