Several celebrities invited to a UFC event hosted by President Donald Trump on the White House lawn later this month have indicated they will not attend. Comedian Adam Sandler, actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, musician Jared Leto, and television host Mario Lopez were among those invited, according to UFC President Dana White. Representatives for these individuals confirmed their absence to Vanity Fair. This marks another instance of high-profile figures declining invitations to Trump-related events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Last month, multiple musicians withdrew from performances at the Great American State Fair after discovering it was sponsored by Freedom 250, a group affiliated with Trump. The White House and UFC have been contacted for comments regarding the event.
The UFC event, named UFC Freedom 250, is set to take place on Trump’s birthday, June 14, and will feature a ring and seating for approximately 4,500 people. White mentioned that former NFL player Tom Brady, actor Jason Statham, and filmmaker Guy Ritchie were also invited, but their attendance is unconfirmed.
The president has 1,000 tickets available, with 200 allocated to himself and Dana White, while the remainder will go to military members. A free watch party for fans will also be held on The Ellipse for those unable to attend the event. A recent YouGov survey indicated that 51% of Americans disapprove of the cage fight as part of the anniversary celebrations. The Trump administration has faced challenges in organizing events sponsored by Freedom 250, with several musical acts withdrawing from the concert series due to concerns over political affiliations.
