UFC President Dana White visited the White House Rose Garden recently and came away with a surprising complaint – the place is overrun with gnats. White, a longtime supporter of President Trump, shared the story during an interview on the Boardroom podcast, saying he had been invited to dinner by Trump two nights prior. When he stepped into the Rose Garden, he was taken aback by the sheer number of gnats flying around, exclaiming, “Holy s–t.”
The Rose Garden was renovated last year as part of Trump’s broader makeover of the White House. Inspired by his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump had the grass portion converted into a patio space. The change appears to have come with some unintended consequences, as the gnat problem has since become noticeable.
White’s concerns are not just personal – they are tied to a major upcoming event. The UFC is planning to host a large-scale event at the White House in June to celebrate Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary. The event is expected to draw around 5,000 spectators, and White is now thinking through how to manage the gnat issue before then.
The gnat problem at the Rose Garden could complicate Trump’s big White House UFC event
White said he is considering installing fans around the venue to keep the gnats away during the event. “It’s a situation that we have to think about,” he said, acknowledging that even small details like this matter when putting on a high-profile event. He added, “These are all the little details that we have to think about.” Trump has also been dealing with other pressing matters lately, including his escalating conflict with a disloyal House Republican.
The UFC event is expected to cost around $60 million and will feature champions receiving commemorative red, white, and blue belts. It is shaping up to be a large and high-profile occasion, which makes the logistics around the venue all the more important to get right. The gnat issue, while it may seem minor, is now part of the planning conversation.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the gnat situation. It is unclear whether any steps are being taken from their end to address the problem ahead of the June event. White, for his part, seems to be taking it seriously and factoring it into his preparations.
The decision to pave over the grass in the Rose Garden has drawn attention since it was made. The garden is a historic part of the White House, and the shift to a patio-style space marked a notable change from its traditional look.
Whether the removal of the grass has contributed to the gnat problem has not been confirmed. Meanwhile, Trump’s foreign policy agenda is also under scrutiny, particularly how Trump is handling tensions with Iran and Israel.
For now, White’s comments have brought unexpected attention to the state of the renovated Rose Garden. With a major event on the horizon and thousands of guests expected to attend, how the gnat situation is handled will likely become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Published: May 20, 2026 12:00 pm