Joe Rogan reveals Trump's surprising backstage remark about possible attack on UFC event
Pete Hegseth Joe Rogan reveals Trump's surprising backstage remark about possible attack on UFC event
Five men were later arrested and charged in an alleged plot to attack officials and attendees at the South Lawn event
By
CJ Womack Fox News
Published
June 22, 2026 2:00pm EDT close 
Video Joe Rogan cracks up over Trump’s White House UFC terror joke
Joe Rogan recalled telling President Donald Trump he hoped they would not die in a terrorist attack at UFC Freedom 250, prompting Trump to respond, "We got to go somehow."
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!Podcaster Joe Rogan revealed Saturday that President Donald Trump responded with a blunt joke after the podcaster raised concerns about a possible terrorist attack at the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Recalling the exchange with UFC champion Justin Gaethje and MMA trainer Trevor Wittman, Rogan said he had fears of being killed by terrorists at the widely covered event.
"I said to Trump, I go, ‘I hope we don’t die in a terrorist attack,’" Rogan said. "He goes, ‘We got to go somehow.’"
Rogan described being caught off guard by the president’s reply.
"I go, ‘What the f---, dude?’" Rogan said, laughing.
President Donald Trump, seated between Dana White and first lady Melania Trump. (Evan Vucci/Reuters)
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The exchange came after Wittman said he had been uneasy attending the event because of the high-profile venue and possible security threat.
"I was honestly really nervous, Joe," Wittman said. "I was like, ‘Dude, there’s like, just again, being around everybody and something could happen.’"
The Justice Department said June 16 that five men had been arrested and charged in an alleged plot to attack government officials and others attending the event. Federal officials claim the alleged conspirators discussed using explosive-laden drones near the event to force an evacuation and then using snipers to fire on fleeing targets.
Gaethje, who defeated Ilia Topuria in the main event to win the UFC lightweight title, said he had accepted the possibility of danger before entering the Octagon.
Justin Gaethje said he accepted the risks surrounding the White House fight before defeating Ilia Topuria in the UFC Freedom 250 main event. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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"F--- it," Gaethje said. "If I get taken out in the middle of the cage, how f---ing legendary would that be?"
Gaethje said the same scenario might have been memorable, but not one he wanted to experience.
"Everyone will remember it for the rest of eternity," Gaethje joked. "But no, I’ll pass," Wittman jokingly replied.
Rogan added that the night was better remembered for Gaethje's win than for any security incident.
"Better the way it went," Rogan said. "The way it went, way better."
Five men were arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plot to attack government officials and others attending UFC Freedom 250, according to the Justice Department. (Jacquelyn Martin- Pool/Getty Images)
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"It was one of the greatest events that any sporting event has ever put on," Rogan said. "I mean, maybe the greatest sporting event in the history of the world."
He claimed the White House setting, military elements and Gaethje's upset victory gave the fight card historical weight.
"This is never going to happen again," Rogan said. "This is more historic than Rumble in the Jungle."
UFC Freedom 250 was held June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House as part of events tied to the country’s 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday.
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The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.
CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.
CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism.
You can follow CJ on Twitter.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
