Why artists drop out of the Great American State Fair
After questions about the Freedom 250, the musicians canceled their appearance at the Great American State Fair and insisted the July 4 event was nonpartisan.
Judge Amit Mehta of the District of Columbia Federal Court ruled on June 14 that UFC Freedom 250 can be held on the White House grounds.
The lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project alleged that the Interior Department and National Park Service’s decision to permit the event violated federal law and the Park Service’s own regulations.
Mehta refused to issue a preliminary injunction to halt the June 14 fight card, construction of further structures on the South Lawn, and a pregame press conference scheduled for June 12 at the Lincoln Memorial.
Mehta pointed out that critics have called the “Claw” makeshift fighting arena on the South Lawn “ugly,” “grotesque” and “disgusting.” But he ruled they had not shown how they were “directly affected” by the government’s actions.
“Even if the plaintiffs had established their position, the court would still deny emergency relief because the plaintiffs have not proven irreparable harm,” Mehta wrote. “Their damage is obviously temporary as well. Claw will be dismantled starting June 15, 2026 at 10am.”
Mehta also said critics waited too long to file the lawsuit on June 7.
Mehta said critics have not identified any environmental damage significant enough to cancel the event. The UFC will spend $700,000 to repair the claw-damaged turf on the South Lawn, Mehta wrote.
The complaint said the event is not subject to the interim rules allowing events to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary because it is run by the UFC and not “the executive branch or agency that celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence, or the Quincentennial Commission.” He also said that the only special event that can be held at the Lincoln Memorial is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday celebration.
UFC Freedom 250 Full Card
How to watch Justin Gaethje vs. Ilya Topuria
- date: Sunday, June 14th
- where: White House (South Lawn)
- time: 8pm ET
- stream: Paramount (free with subscription, starting at $0.99/month).
This development story will be updated.
Contributor: Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports
