# Why Trump brought UFC 'savagery' to the White House

An episode of [ABC News Daily](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1349523628), 4 Jun 2026, 15 min.

Audio: https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/l7/Z/89.mp3

Donald Trump is pondering whether a UFC cage could become a permanent fixture on the South Lawn of the White House after a fight takes place there on his 80th birthday. Today, Sally Jenkins from The Atlantic magazine on Trump’s deep links to the mixed martial arts organisation. We explore how bringing the sport’s ‘savagery’ to the seat of power in the US is all part of Trump’s norm-breaking style and aggressive approach to politics. Editor's note: This episode includes the following description of UFC bouts; “you're watching crotch kicking, bare knuckle brawling, anything goes, squeezing the throat of an opponent.” However, the UFC website states it adopted the Unified Rules of MMA in November 2000, these include fouls for throat strikes and groin attacks. Fighters are also required to wear gloves. Featured: Sally Jenkins, a staff writer at The Atlantic

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