Nawrocki to attend Trump's 80th birthday and UFC gala at the White House
President Karol Nawrocki has accepted Donald Trump's invitation to celebrate the US president's 80th birthday at the White House on Sunday, where a UFC Freedom 250 gala will be held, also marking 250 years of US independence.
Visit details
President Karol Nawrocki will travel to Washington, D.C., this weekend for an unofficial visit at the invitation of Donald Trump, whose 80th birthday falls on Sunday, June 14. Marcin Przydacz, head of the Presidential International Policy Bureau, confirmed the trip on Wednesday, noting the Polish president will attend the UFC Freedom 250 gala at the White House. Polish media reported that the flight is planned for Sunday, and the visit will include a Holy Mass at a Polish church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
President Karol Nawrocki is going to Washington. On Sunday, June 14, at the invitation of President Donald Trump, who is celebrating his birthday that day, he will take part in the UFC Freedom 250 gala organized at the White House.
The UFC gala and 80th birthday
The gala, set on the South Lawn, will feature seven MMA fights, including two title bouts, with the main event pitting Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje. A temporary arena will seat about 4,500 invited veterans and other guests, while some tickets are priced at $1.5 million, according to the BBC. An additional 85,000 spectators are expected to watch on outdoor screens near the White House. The date combines Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of US independence, and Trump's birthday, with the president, a longtime UFC fan, using the event to project vitality.
Bilateral talks and reactions
Although the visit is unofficial, Przydacz stated it "will be an opportunity for talks on security and bilateral relations," emphasizing the strategic partnership between Poland and the US. Radosław Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, reacted sarcastically on social media, writing: "I keep my fingers crossed that President Karol Nawrocki reaches at least the semifinals." His remark drew sharp responses from government supporters, who accused him of mockery.
Controversy over White House event
The Public Integrity Project, an anti-corruption legal firm in Washington, has protested the gala. "We believe this is a gross abuse of our sacred national monuments for private benefit. We also believe it should be stopped because it violates the law," a representative told the BBC. Preparations are already underway, with locker rooms being built in the nearby Eisenhower Executive Office Building and special structures rising on the lawn.
