Celebrating UFC Freedom 250 with the Marine Band
On June 15, 2026, President Donald Trump hosted the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House, marking his 80th birthday. The occasion spotlighted the U.S. Marine Band, known as “The President’s Own,” which performed at the event, garnering praise from UFC CEO Dana White.
During a guest appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” White expressed his admiration for the band, noting their exceptional talent. He mentioned that their performance was so impressive that some attendees mistook them for famous artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“The President’s Own Band is the name of that band,” he said. “They were so incredible that when the Red Hot Chili Peppers would come on, people thought it was them! One of the fighters walked out to Drake, and it was actually the band!”
White recalled a particularly captivating moment—AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” during rehearsals—which he described as an “incredible” experience. He revealed he had met with the president to explore ways to reward the band for their outstanding performance, including Zac Brown’s rendition of the national anthem.
“We had an executive meeting yesterday. We’re talking about putting together all the music they played at the White House, along with Zac Brown’s rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ and releasing it as an album for Freedom 250,” he noted.
Moreover, he shared a humorous exchange with the president who suggested giving the band a “fight bonus.” White then declared his intention to match that bonus, though he hadn’t managed to convey this to Trump yet, as he was in France for the G7 Summit.
“Mr. President, I’m going to match your bonus for the band,” he stated.
On Flag Day and Trump’s birthday, Brown returned to perform the national anthem. Throughout the UFC event, the Marine Band played each fighter’s walkout song live, showcasing a variety of musical styles and languages. Not only is “The President’s Own” the oldest U.S. military band, it also holds the title of the oldest professional musical organization in the United States, having been established in 1798.
“Can we all give a shout out to Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis, the U.S. Marine band vocalist! She absolutely crushed it tonight at UFC Freedom 250! An amazing voice & American War Fighter. Thank you for your service,” a tweet stated.
