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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson declined an invite to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn on June 14, 2026, alongside Adam Sandler, Jared Leto, and Mario Lopez, citing a Vanity Fair source.
The event, promoted by Dana White on Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary, features title fights including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and includes public viewing on the Ellipse.
Celebrity no-shows underscore the partisan nature of the high-profile UFC production despite invitations to athletes and stars like Tom Brady and Jason Statham.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has turned down an invitation to the UFC card at the White House on June 14, and reps for Adam Sandler, Jared Leto, and Mario Lopez say they're skipping it too, per Vanity Fairhttps://t.co/ycy64JQmsJ pic.twitter.com/x4ybL91ZW8

— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) June 5, 2026

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Declines Invitation to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House

brobible.com

Hollywood and sports stars largely pass on high-profile UFC event coinciding with President Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has turned down an invitation to attend UFC Freedom 250, the groundbreaking mixed martial arts event scheduled for the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026. According to a Vanity Fair report, representatives for several other high-profile invitees—including Adam Sandler, Jared Leto, and Mario Lopez—have also confirmed they will not be attending.

vanityfair.com

The news comes shortly after UFC CEO Dana White publicly revealed a star-studded guest list in a Time magazine interview, naming Johnson, Sandler, Leto, Lopez, Tom Brady, Jason Statham, Guy Ritchie, and others as invitees. While some representatives did not respond to inquiries about attendance, the reported no-shows highlight challenges in drawing major celebrity talent to the politically charged spectacle.

mmajunkie.usatoday.com

Event Details and SignificanceUFC Freedom 250 is set to be a historic production, marking the first time a UFC event (and reportedly one of the first major sporting events of its kind) will take place on the White House grounds. The card is scheduled for Flag Day, which also falls on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and forms part of broader celebrations for America’s semiquincentennial (250th anniversary).

time.com

A purpose-built arena with roughly 4,300 seats is under construction on the South Lawn, featuring a full-size Octagon, large video screens, and a massive overhead lighting structure nicknamed “The Claw.” An additional fan festival on the nearby Ellipse is expected to draw up to 85,000–100,000 people for free public viewing, with performances and activities planned. UFC is reportedly covering the bulk of the estimated $60 million cost.

forbes.com

Key fights on the card include:

ufc.com

Main Event: Lightweight Title – Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Justin Gaethje
Co-Main: Interim Heavyweight Title – Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane
Additional bouts featuring Sean O’Malley, Derrick Lewis, and others

Weigh-ins are expected at the Lincoln Memorial, with fighters walking out from areas near the Oval Office. At least 1,200 seats are reserved for active-duty military members.

Celebrity Invites and ReactionsDana White, a longtime Trump ally who introduced him at the 2024 Republican National Convention, has promoted the event enthusiastically. However, the Vanity Fair piece frames the celebrity response as a “star-power problem,” suggesting the event’s close association with Trump and its partisan optics may be deterring some A-listers.

Mario Lopez’s team cited scheduling conflicts (a movie shoot), while sources close to Johnson simply confirmed he would not attend. Attendance status for figures like Tom Brady and Jason Statham remains unclear as of the latest reports.

The event has drawn both excitement and criticism. Supporters view it as a bold, patriotic spectacle blending combat sports with national celebration. Detractors have questioned the optics of a cage fight on the White House lawn during a time of other national priorities. Some conservative voices have also expressed disappointment over the broader America 250 programming feeling overly partisan.

Background and ContextJohnson, a former WWE champion and major Hollywood star with deep ties to combat sports (including a TKO Group Holdings board seat), has a complicated public relationship with politics. He has been courted by both parties in the past but has generally avoided deep partisan alignment in recent years.

The UFC-White House collaboration stems from discussions between Trump and White. Trump has long been a supporter of the promotion, having hosted early UFC events at his properties.

As construction continues and the event approaches, all eyes will be on whether additional big names appear ringside or if the focus remains squarely on the fighters, military attendees, and the historic setting itself. The production is expected to air live on Paramount+. This remains a developing story with significant interest across sports, entertainment, and political circles.

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