She’s back, but not how you think. Ivanka Trump is re-emerging in Washington D.C. with a surprising new role: helping bring a full-scale UFC fight (possibly a championship bout) to the White House lawn as part of the America250 celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday.
And no, she’s not stepping into the ring, but she is helping to build it.
A first daughter with a jiu-jitsu grip on the moment
Ivanka Trump, known for her fashion empire, former senior White House role, and tightly curated public presence, is now stepping into a different kind of arena: mixed martial arts.
The first daughter is quietly assisting UFC CEO Dana White in planning what’s being billed as “the baddest card of all time” — a White House UFC fight set for July 4, 2026, to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day.
Ivanka Trump at UFC 316 👀 pic.twitter.com/9CSiOiOsg6
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) June 8, 2025
“Ivanka is a longtime fan of UFC and is honored to help Dana White create an exciting event celebrating a sport beloved by so many Americans,” a source close to Ivanka told Fox News Digital.
It’s a passion that runs deeper than most realize. Ivanka’s interest in jiu-jitsu began after her daughter Arabella started taking lessons, inspiring her whole family to embrace the sport. “It’s almost like a moving meditation because the movements are so micro… It’s like three-dimensional chess,” she once said.
Patriotic punches: A South Lawn spectacle in the making
President Donald Trump first teased the idea at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on the eve of the Fourth of July during a rally, saying, “We’re going to have a UFC fight — on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
Within weeks, the plan moved from bold idea to real blueprint. Dana White confirmed it’s happening and told the Associated Press it would air live on CBS on July 4, 2026, and said Trump specifically asked for Ivanka to be involved in shaping the vision.
“When [President Trump] called me and asked me to do it, he said, ‘I want Ivanka in the middle of this,’” White shared on CBS Mornings. “So Ivanka reached out… and her and I started talking about the possibilities.”
She’s not taking an official role, but she’s deeply involved — coordinating with White and discussing event possibilities as part of the broader America250 celebration, will unite Americans through patriotic events across national parks, battlefields, and historic landmarks.
A quiet return — or a powerful reintroduction?
While Ivanka Trump has kept a low profile since her father’s re-election, this high-impact project could signal a new chapter.
UFC 316 pic.twitter.com/Npxi9LXplw
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 8, 2025
Though she’s made no political moves, her presence behind the scenes, and at the intersection of culture, sport, and diplomacy, is drawing admiration and renewed interest.
Her fans see it as a welcome return. “Ivanka’s calm, elegance, and quiet influence have always set her apart,” one supporter wrote on social media after the news broke.
For now, she’s not giving interviews or confirming further involvement, but she’s clearly in the mix.
And with UFC stars lining up to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime White House fight, including possible headliner Jon Jones, the event is shaping up to be as epic as its venue.
One thing’s for sure: the first daughter is back in Washington, and this time, she’s bringing gloves.
