Hillary Clinton has criticised President Donald Trump’s treatment of the White House as the construction of the UFC 250 cage-fighting area begins amid ongoing ballroom renovations.
Clinton, 78, who lived in the White House for eight years between 1993 and 2001 during Bill Clinton’s presidency, posted on social media on Friday (29 April), sharing an aerial photo showing extensive work taking place on the grounds.
On the right-hand side of the image, foundations are visible for what is expected to become a 90,000-square-foot State Ballroom.
The new addition — scheduled for completion in summer 2028 — has been described by President Trump as a ‘gift’ to the country and is expected to accommodate around 650 people.
Formally known as the East Wing mondernization project, the renovation is set to include the First Lady’s Offices and, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, remove the need for a ‘large and unsightly tent’ that has previously been used to host state dinners.
To the left of the photo Clinton shared via X (formerly Twitter), large-scale metal scaffolding dominates the scene.
The structure is being built to house ‘The Octagon’, the eight-sided fenced cage used for UFC bouts, ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. The arena is being assembled on the White House South Lawn.
Organisers have billed the card as the UFC’s ‘biggest event’ to date, with thousands expected to attend to watch Brazil’s Alex Pereira face France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight crown, as well as Georgia’s Ilia Topuria vs America’s Justin Gaethje for the lightweight belt.
Most attendees are understood to be members of the military, seated in temporary stands on lawn space typically used for the White House’s annual Easter egg rolls and picnics.
“Dana White previously said: “The way that the White House is laid out, you’ve got the White House, you’ve got the South Lawn, and then there’s a road, and then the Ellipse.
“There’s a park that’s right there. We’re gonna be ticketing 85,000 people in the Ellipse, and the tickets are free, and we’ll announce how we’re gonna be giving them away soon.
This is what Trump's done to the people's house:
A third of it is rubble.
Another third is a cage match.
What a metaphor. pic.twitter.com/0JKCj5prXF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 29, 2026
“But you should plan on going to Washington DC for this event.”
Reports claim the UFC, owned by TKO, is spending $60 million on the project.
Alongside the image she posted, Clinton added her own assessment of what the scene represented.
“This is what Trump’s done to the people’s house:
“A third of it is rubble. Another third is a cage match. What a metaphor.”
Clinton, who ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election, also criticised the administration on Thursday (28 May) following claims about a possible new banknote featuring the Republican president.
The Washington Post previously reported that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing — the agency responsible for producing US currency — had allegedly been asked by officials to create a $250 bill bearing Trump’s likeness.
“By the end of Trump’s term, it’ll be just enough to buy one gallon of gas and a carton of eggs,” Clinton wrote via X.
The White House has been approached for confirmation on the reported bill plan, as well as comment on Clinton’s post.
Separately, in March the Treasury Department announced that Trump’s signature would be added to paper currency as part of commemorations for the US’ 250th birthday.
It would mark the first time a sitting president’s signature is set to appear on currency.
“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S. dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a prior statement, as per The Hill.