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Joe Rogan is not impressed. The controversial UFC announcer accepted an invitation to the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 at the White House but made it clear that his attendance does not signal approval of the event, which Dana White and Donald Trump organize to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Scheduled for June 14, the event has been controversial from the outset, not only because of its venue, the White House, but also its timing on Trump's birthday and its outdoor setting.
Even the main event has drawn scrutiny. Despite heavy promotion, the fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje has failed to generate the level of excitement the UFC hoped for.
Rogan has criticized these factors and more. Some media outlets suggest his negative outlook may stem from his increasingly strained relationship with President Trump.
Rogan's criticism of UFC 250
On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan admitted:
Yeah, I'll be there, but I'm not thrilled about it. It doesn't seem like a wise idea.
He also questioned the logistics of holding the fights outdoors:
They're fighting outside. What if it rains? What if it's hot? You're in the middle of June.
While acknowledging that the card itself is strong, Rogan argued that expectations were set unrealistically high:
They're criticizing it because they said it was going to be the 'greatest card of all time,' and it's also just going to be a security nightmare.
Rogan distances himself from Donald Trump
Although the UFC and the White House are promoting the event as an Independence Day celebration, it will actually take place nearly a month earlier, on June 14, Trump's birthday.
"It's kind of a gimmick, you know, there's that," Rogan remarked, taking a subtle jab at the president.
Rogan, once considered a key supporter of Trump, has recently criticized several of his decisions, such as the war in Iran, his immigration tactics, and his handling of the Epstein Files.
Despite his misgivings, Rogan will attend UFC Freedom 250-though his presence is unlikely to be enthusiastic.