Trump's White House UFC Circus Accused of Blinding Pilots

Source: Daily Beast

Updated Jun. 13 2026 3:44AM EDT
Published Jun. 12 2026 9:51PM EDT


Bright lights from the site of Donald Trump’s UFC birthday extravaganza on the White House lawn are partially blinding flight crews approaching a major U.S. airport, a pilot has alleged. Powerful lighting used during the construction and testing of the octagon on the South Lawn allegedly shone directly into the cockpit of an aircraft approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, creating a serious visibility hazard during landing.

The pilot—who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly—tells Meidas Touch that the glare was “10 times worse than any laser illumination event” they had previously experienced. The incident allegedly occurred during a nighttime approach into Reagan, which is known for its trickier approach and crowded airspace, requiring crews to rely on both instrument readings and outside visual references.

While comparing the glare to a laser strike, the aviator stressed that no lasers were involved. Instead, they claimed that the powerful event lighting flooded the cockpit during approach. Reports were subsequently filed with both the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, a confidential program used by aviation professionals to document potential hazards and safety concerns.

The pilot said they also contacted a local FAA office and were advised to raise concerns directly with the White House. The Daily Beast reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response.


Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-white-house-ufc-circus-accused-of-blinding-pilots/