Zac Brown Explains Performing at Trump’s Freedom 250 UFC White House Lawn Match: ‘This Is Patriotism, Not Politics For Me’
Categoria: Musica
Brown, a big UFC fan, said he will play after the weigh-ins and then sing the national anthem with the Marine Band.
Por Billboard | 12/06/2026
While President Trump’s planned Great American State Fair concert series flamed out earlier this month when nearly every artists booked for the shows bailed over what they claimed was the less-than-nonpartisan bent of the event, Zac Brown has no such qualms. The “Hard Run” singer appeared on The Pat McAfee Show this week to defend his slot performing before Sunday’s (June 14) UFC Freedom 250 event on the South lawn of the White House. “Man, I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America,” said Brown, who mentioned that a reported “8,000 active service members” will be on hand for the for-profit match, which will take place on a giant stage erected in front of the iconic presidential residence. “This is patriotism, not politics for me,” he added. “I mean, f— all the division. I don’t believe in that. I love this country. I love all the people that have sacrificed so that I can live my American dream and that everyone that lives here gets a chance to do that if they work hard and make the right decisions and do that. So it doesn’t have a place in politics for me.” Brown is slated to headline a daylong fan fest on Saturday (June 13) following the ceremonial weigh-ins, meet and greets and other activities, setting up Sunday’s seven mixed martial arts battles. The bout that is part of the Trump team’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary coincides with Flag Day, as well as, coincidentally, UFC superfan Trump’s 80th birthday. Brown said he’s also a “massive” UFC fan, telling McAfee that it’s his “favorite sport” and that he was honored that UFC boss Dana White has “given me the opportunity to do this.” The singer, who competed on the judo team at the University of West Georgia during his college days, noted that in addition to his band playing after the weigh-ins on Saturday, they will also sing the National Anthem with the Marine Band before the fights begin. “I’m so, so excited for this weekend,” Brown added. “And it’s history, man, getting to be part of American history, man. Having the first sporting event that’s on the lawn of the White House. I mean, it’s an honor.” The controversial decision to erect a cage match octagon on the White House grounds has drawn complaints and a lawsuit from the Public Integrity Project in D.C. federal court alleging that the Department of Interior and the National Park Service have violated federal laws by organizing a private sporting event on public property without getting congressional approval for the construction on what is considered federal parkland for the massive fight platform, which looms 22 feet above the top of the historic presidential residence. In addition, the suit aimed at trying to halt the fight, claims that there was not a proper environmental review “before undertaking ‘major federal action’ significantly affecting the quality of the human envi