John Fetterman answers Larry David's attack on Trump's White House UFC event with a classic movie one-liner
Media John Fetterman answers Larry David's attack on Trump's White House UFC event with a classic movie one-liner
Pennsylvania senator told TMZ that David should 'get over himself' after the comedian called the event 'a travesty'
By
Julia Bonavita Fox News
Published
June 29, 2026 10:00am EDT close 
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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., offered a harsh rebuke to comedian Larry David’s comments slamming President Donald Trump’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary with a UFC fight hosted at the White House.
"It was a travesty," David told Variety — referring to the UFC fight — at the premiere of his new series on HBO, "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," adding, "What else can you say about it?"
"It was embarrassing," the 78-year-old comic continued. "I was embarrassed to be an American."
Speaking with TMZ on Wednesday, Fetterman channeled a ‘80s comedy reference as he slammed David’s comments.
LARRY DAVID SLAMS TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE UFC FIGHT, SAYS IT MADE HIM 'EMBARRASSED TO BE AN AMERICAN'
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., walks through the Senate Subway during the Senate War Powers vote on April 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
"I’d say lighten up, Francis," Fetterman said, quoting a famous line from the 1981 movie, "Stripes."
The quote originates from a famous scene in which a character named Francis — played by Conrad Dunn — tells his fellow soldiers during Army basic training that he wants to be referred to as "Psycho," instead of his given name.
The request prompts Sgt. Hulka — played by Warren Oates — to quip, "Lighten up, Francis."
FETTERMAN SAYS DEMOCRATS LACK LEADER, CLAIMS PARTY DRIVEN BY ‘TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME’
Comedian Larry David arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in Manhattan, New York, on May 4, 2015. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)
The callback to the Bill Murray-fronted film drew confusion from the TMZ reporter, who repeatedly asked Fetterman about the reference.
Fetterman went on to tell David to "get over himself," as he slammed the comedian for expressing his embarrassment over the event.
"Hey, I’m proud to be an American, and if you are embarrassed or whatever because of a UFC thing, get over yourself, dude," Fetterman added.
TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN
President Donald Trump hosts the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, celebrating his 80th birthday with a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches. (Jacquelyn Martin/Getty Images)
The UFC Freedom Fight 250 was hosted on the White House South Lawn and marked Trump’s 80th birthday earlier this month.
The event boasted an attendance of 1,200 active-duty service members and roughly 4,000 spectators, with both Trump and UFC president Dana White in the audience.
Attendees were also treated to a performance of the national anthem by the Marine Band and Zac Brown, and the event concluded with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds.
"It was beyond anything that anybody's ever seen in sports," the president told reporters as he departed the White House ahead of the G7 summit in France.
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump watches the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
When reached for comment, a White House spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital: "This was one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history, and President Trump hosting it at the White House is a testament to his vision to celebrate America’s monumental 250th anniversary. Anyone who finds a problem with that clearly suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome."
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Fox News Digital reached out to David and Fetterman for comment but did not immediately receive responses.
Julia Bonavita is a media and culture writer for Fox News Digital, and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to [email protected].
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.'
