Pat McAfee has revealed how Donald Trump personally approved his request to host a UFC broadcast live from the White House later this year.
Pat McAfee, host of The Pat McAfee Show, said he received approval directly from Donald Trump during a meeting earlier this month.
The meeting was arranged through ESPN executive Mike Foss and the Secret Service, who later coordinated the security process.
Pat McAfee recounts how Donald Trump approved request
Pat McAfee described the moment during a recent episode of his show. McAfee confirmed that the handshake agreement cleared the way for his program to air live from the White House South Lawn.
The conversation took place inside the former president’s suite at the College Football Playoff National Championship, where McAfee made the unexpected request face-to-face.
“Would love to be able to do [the] show from [the] White House for the fight,” he said he told Trump, who replied, “Yeah, yeah,” before shaking his hand and confirming the approval.
“Live from the White House is an absurd thing,” McAfee said. “Just as a program that started in the basement.”
UFC White House broadcast confirmed for June
UFC CEO Dana White later said Trump “gave the thumbs up” for the show to take place, confirming that it would coincide with the organisation’s massive event.
Reports confirmed that the agreement was finalised shortly after the conversation, clearing McAfee’s team to prepare for the live event.
He stated that the broadcast would run alongside a UFC main event expected to feature Conor McGregor’s first fight since 2021.
The event will mark the first live sports program ever hosted from the White House grounds. McAfee said his team was “honoured” to take part and described the opportunity as “a celebratory moment” for both the show and the UFC’s new partnership era.
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