'It's vulgar, it is violent, and it's tacky': Bill Kristol blasts White House UFC spectacle

William Kristol, editor at large for The Bulwark, took aim at the Trump administration's plan to hold the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn, conceding the event isn't as consequential as the war in Iran or the economy, but arguing it still says something telling about this moment in American history. "After all, it's vulgar, it's violent, it's commercial, it's grandiose, it's tacky, and it dishonors a place once thought worthy of care and respect. In other words, it's Donald Trump," he wrote in an article.

"Kristol questioned whether the event marked the decline and fall of a republic, or whether America was still capable of bouncing back from this nadir in its history. The 73-year-old also lamented 'the Claw' — the towering structure where the mixed martial arts fight will take place — saying it induced in him a feeling of melancholy. Kristol is a vocal critic of Trump who has previously denounced the president's various renovation and beautification projects in Washington, D.C., as authoritarian in nature.

Kristol's critique carries weight because it comes from a longtime conservative voice rather than a predictable opponent, suggesting the spectacle's controversial optics cuts across ideological lines. By framing the $60-million cage-fight setup on the South Lawn as reflective of Trump's brand rather than a one-off event, Kristol's remarks add to a growing chorus that the event may be reinforcing perceptions of misplaced priorities rather than the celebratory image intended by the administration.

The president reportedly planned the fights to mark America's 250th anniversary, which also coincides with his 80th birthday. Kristol's view may resonate with the broader American public — just 16 percent approve of the event, while 46 percent consider it inappropriate, according to a Reuters/ IPSOS poll. The skepticism extends even to Republicans, among whom only 31 percent found the event appropriate, a notable figure given that roughly eight in 10 Republicans approve of Trump's overall performance in the White House, the poll added.

The pushback that Kristol yearns for may arrive on the day itself, as the 'No Kings' movement stages its fourth nationwide event — one year after its first protest drew millions. This time, the centerpiece is a 90-minute concert in New York City anchoring hundreds of watch parties across the country. The weather gods may end up doing what critics couldn't. Forecasters predict thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds could complicate the event, compounded by a sweltering day with the heat index expected to reach as high as 106.