Joe Rogan reveals Trump’s response to potential attack on UFC 250: 'We've got to go somehow'

Rogan served as the commentator at the extravagant UFC 250 event despite slamming it earlier
Joe Rogan pulled back the curtain on a conversation about UFC Freedom 250, revealing how Trump reacted when he raised concerns about a potential attack (Getty Images)
Joe Rogan pulled back the curtain on a conversation about UFC Freedom 250, revealing how Trump reacted when he raised concerns about a potential attack (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: As he envisioned thousands gathering for a UFC spectacle on White House grounds, Donald Trump couldn't help but think about the risks that came with it.

Joe Rogan recently pulled back the curtain on a conversation surrounding UFC Freedom 250, revealing how Trump reacted when he raised concerns about a potential terrorist attack during the planned fights on White House grounds.

The renowned podcaster served as the commentator at the extravaganza event despite slamming it time and again, even claiming the timing of the event during the Iran conflict and the outdoor setting were of concern to him.

Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier during UFC Freedom 250 at the South Lawn of the White House (@UFC_AUSNZ/X)
Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier during UFC Freedom 250 at the South Lawn of the White House (@UFC_AUSNZ/X)

Joe Rogan reveals raising security issues with Trump

The 58-year-old commentator discussed White House’s Freedom 250 event during the latest episode of his “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, where he was joined by MMA trainer Trevor Wittman and UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje, who won a major bout at the event.

Wittman admitted he was unsure how an event of such scale and significance would unfold, raising concerns about whether something could potentially go wrong.

"I was like, f*ck it. If I get taken out in the middle of the case, how f*cking legendary would that be?" Gaethje said.

President Donald Trump, center, talks to UFC President and CEO Dana White during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump, center, talks to UFC President and CEO Dana White during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington (Evan Vucci/Pool Photo via AP)

Rogan recalled raising concerns with Trump about the possibility of a terrorist attack at the event, telling the president, "I hope we don't die in a terrorist attack."

According to the podcaster, Trump responded with a characteristically blunt remark, saying, "We gotta go somehow." Rogan admitted the unexpected response caught him off guard, prompting him to reply, "What the f*ck, dude?" before later laughing about the exchange.

Rogan had previously shared concerns about the weather and the event being outdoors, but he said after the fact that everything turned out fine.

Joe Rogan (PowerfulJRE/ YouTube)
Joe Rogan had previously shared concerns about the weather and the event being outdoors, but he said after the fact that everything turned out fine (PowerfulJRE/ YouTube)

"That was the wildest experience that I've ever had in my 20-whatever years of calling combat sports. There's nothing even close. Nothing even close. It was the greatest night of fights of all time. And it was the only night in the history of the sport where every single fight ended by knockout," he said.

FBI foils potential attack on White House UFC event

While Rogan's fears remained hypothetical, federal authorities reportedly thwarted a potentially dangerous plot linked to the high-profile UFC event on White House ground.

According to the court document, the plan, which was discussed online, involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation, and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team.

The investigators announced on Monday, June 15, that they have taken 5 suspects in custody and have identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters.

In a statement, Patel said investigators acted quickly after identifying the threat and were able to stop the alleged plans before they reached the execution stage.

"Our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat," Patel wrote, adding that a multi-state operation resulted in several arrests and prevented what he described as planned attacks.

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