President Donald Trump has indicated that the temporary UFC octagon installed on the National Mall for a summer exhibition may become a permanent fixture, sparking condemnation from British architects who describe the proposal as “visual chaos”. The structure, a 12-metre high steel and glass tower designed to mimic the Eiffel Tower, was erected last month to host the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s annual summer showcase. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Trump said: “It’s beautiful.
People love it. Maybe we keep it. Why not?
We have the Washington Monument, we have the Lincoln Memorial, we have the UFC Tower. It’s a great addition.” The remark drew immediate reaction from London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, whose senior partner, Norman Foster, issued a statement: “The National Mall is a carefully curated sequence of classical and neoclassical monuments representing democratic ideals.
Introducing a brash commercial structure would break the visual harmony and set a dangerous precedent. This is not about taste; it is about the integrity of public space.” The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) echoed the sentiment, calling the potential permanent installation “an act of visual vandalism”.
However, White House aides noted that Trump’s comments were informal and no formal proposal has been submitted to the National Park Service, which oversees the Mall. The UFC has not commented. The controversy comes as Trump continues to position himself as a champion of populist aesthetics, often favouring bold, oversized structures over understated design.
As one senior diplomatic source noted: “The President sees these as symbols of American strength. British architects see them as symbols of cultural decline. Both are probably right, but the question is which narrative will endure.
