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US President Donald Trump has announced plans for the White House to host its first-ever 'Patriot Games' as part of next year's celebrations for the country's 250th anniversary
In a video released on Thursday, 18 December, Trump said he had pledged during his presidential campaign to give America "the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen" for the country's 250th birthday on 4 July 2026.
Among the initiatives unveiled was the Patriot Games, which Trump described as a four-day sporting event to be held in the fall.
"We will host the first ever Patriot Games, an unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes — one young man and one young woman from each state and territory," he said.
Social media users have quickly drawn comparisons between the competition and The Hunger Games, a dystopian young adult novel and popular movie franchise centred on Katniss Everdeen in the nation of Panem, where children — one boy and one girl from each district — are forced to fight to the death in televised arenas.
Trump also outlined several other plans for the anniversary celebrations, including the construction of a new arch monument in the nation's capital and a UFC fight at the White House
"We are the only major city without a triumphal arc. A beautiful triumphal arc, one like in Paris, where they have the great, a beautiful arc. They call it the Arc de Triomphe, and we're going to have one in Washington, DC very soon," Trump said.
He added that a "one-of-a-kind" UFC event would be held at the White House on Flag Day, which is also his birthday, featuring "the greatest" championship fighters and hosted by UFC president Dana White.
"But all of this is just the beginning. 2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honouring our nation and all of its glory," Trump said.
According to CNN, Trump has long expressed interest in planning the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. Over the past year, his administration has worked to align federal funding and agency initiatives with these priorities.
