A monstrous 154-foot-tall red, white, and blue skeletal structure called 'the Claw' has risen on the South Lawn of the White House, overshadowing the building and symbolizing the rot of the Trump era. Inside the cage, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will stage martial arts matches for 'UFC Freedom 250', a celebration of Trump's 80th birthday.
Critics, including the non-profit Public Integrity Project, have sued to stop the event, calling it 'deeply corrupt.' The lawsuit argues that the event is a private, for-profit sporting event disguised as a celebration of American independence, designed to enrich Trump and his allies.
Trump's Department of Justice has argued that the president can do whatever he wishes, citing the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling granting absolute immunity for official acts. In a recent court case, a judge questioned whether Trump could legally bulldoze the Statue of Liberty; the government's lawyer replied that if done quickly enough, it would be 'non-redressable.'
The UFC event is part of a broader kleptocratic spectacle. Trump is using the occasion to extract tribute, reward allies, and deepen his control. VIP packages cost $1.5 million, and Trump's wealth advisers purchased up to $50,000 in stock of the UFC's parent company. The event is expected to generate millions in subscriptions for Paramount+, owned by Larry Ellison, who is seeking government approval for a major acquisition.
Trump has mused about keeping 'the Claw' permanently, comparing it to the Eiffel Tower. Meanwhile, the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and immigration, stands as a contrasting emblem. Blumenthal argues that 'the Claw' represents Trump's Hobbesian vision, a cage lowered over the entire country.
