The discussion started when Wittman admitted he had concerns about the unique setting of the event. While UFC cards are always major attractions, staging one at the White House created a level of visibility rarely seen in combat sports.
“I was honestly really nervous, Joe. I was like, ‘Dude, there’s like, just again, being around everybody and something could happen,’” Wittman said.
His concern was understandable. Thousands of fans, high-profile athletes, government officials, celebrities, and the President of the United States were gathered in one location for an outdoor event unlike anything UFC had attempted before.
Gaethje, however, appeared to view the situation through a very different lens.
The newly crowned champion joked that if something unexpected happened during the event, it would instantly become part of sports history.
“I was like, ‘Fk it. If I get taken out in the middle of the cage, how fuing legendary would that be,” Gaethje said.
“Everyone will remember it for the rest of eternity.”
The comment drew laughs during the conversation, but Rogan followed it up with an even funnier story involving President Trump himself.
According to Rogan, he personally raised the issue of security while speaking with the president before the fights.
“I said to Trump, I go, ‘I hope we don’t die in a terrorist attack.’”
Trump’s response was classic Trump.
“We’ve all gotta go somehow.”
The room erupted in laughter as Rogan retold the exchange.
The remark perfectly captured the president’s often blunt and unapologetic style, turning a serious concern into a moment of humor that has since gone viral among MMA fans.
At the time, many attendees understood that hosting such a massive event at the White House would require extraordinary security measures. Rogan himself had previously discussed the challenges involved with protecting a crowd gathered at one of the most recognizable locations in the world.
As it turns out, those concerns were not entirely hypothetical.
Following the event, federal authorities revealed that a dangerous plot targeting UFC Freedom 250 had allegedly been uncovered and stopped before it could be carried out.
According to information released by the Department of Justice, five suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged plan aimed at government officials and attendees at the White House event.
Investigators say the plot involved explosive-equipped drones that would have been used to create chaos before additional attacks were carried out by snipers.
Authorities reportedly became aware of the threat several days before the event.
The FBI launched a coordinated operation spanning multiple states after learning of the alleged plan on June 10. The investigation ultimately led to the arrests of all five suspects before the event took place.
Officials later confirmed that the operation successfully disrupted the attack and prevented any harm from occurring.
Despite the serious threat, the event proceeded without incident and quickly became one of the most celebrated fight cards in UFC history.
Fans witnessed Gaethje capture undisputed lightweight gold, while commentators and fighters alike praised the atmosphere created by the unprecedented White House venue.
For Rogan, the evening will likely be remembered not only for the action inside the Octagon but also for a one-line response from President Trump that perfectly summed up the mood.
Faced with concerns about a possible terrorist attack at one of the most high-profile sporting events ever held on American soil, Trump didn’t panic.
Instead, he delivered a response only he could give:
“We’ve all gotta go somehow.”
