Trump backs – After the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14 drew 4,000 spectators to the White House South Lawn, President Donald Trump backed a restoration plan using a proprietary blend of eight grasses. Scotts Miracle-Gro pledged $1 million to help repair damage, including
When the UFC Freedom 250 fights wrapped up on the White House South Lawn, the debate didn’t end with who won in the arena nicknamed the “Claw.” It shifted to what happened to the grass beneath it.
President Donald Trump. who has described himself as an expert on grass from his golf courses. turned to Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. for help restoring the lawn after the June 14 event at the South Lawn of the White House. The company offered a $1 million pledge to restore the turf following the spectacle that hosted 4,000 spectators.
Trump selected a proprietary blend of eight grasses designed for durability and heat tolerance. The goal is to get the lawn “greener on his side of the fence,” according to the turf plan laid out as part of the company’s restoration effort.
The South Lawn has long absorbed heavy traffic. The Easter egg roll, congressional picnic and year-round Marine One landings all take a toll. Still, critics tried to stop the UFC event in part because of potential damage to the historic grounds.
A U.S. District Judge, Amit Mehta, allowed the show to go on. In his ruling, he wrote that “The risk of any significant environmental damage therefore appears remote.” UFC estimated it would spend $700,000 to fix damage caused by the Claw and the crowd.
To repair the lawn. Trump’s restoration plan calls for a blend that includes tall fescues. described as durable and heat-tolerant. and Kentucky bluegrasses. cited for disease tolerance and thickening characteristics. ScottsMiracle-Gro said the company would coordinate the restoration with the National Park Service, which maintains the White House grounds.
ScottsMiracle-Gro also described the work as more than a simple replacement of turf. “Creating a proprietary blend for the White House’s unique conditions presented a distinct set of challenges. ” Matthew Koch. a research fellow for lawns at the company. said in a statement. “It is a functional lawn that has to stand up to hundreds of events and thousands of people each year.”.
The restoration would begin with the installation of sod, followed by overseeding using the custom formula to strengthen density, durability, color and turf health, the company said.
Trump’s confidence in his turf choices is tied to his past statements about grass. In August 2025. he told law enforcement personnel in DC. “I’m very good at grass because I have a lot of golf courses all over the place. ” adding. “I know more about grass than any human being. I think. anywhere in the world.”.
ScottsMiracle-Gro framed the South Lawn as a site with stakes beyond appearance. Jim Hagedorn. the company’s CEO. said in a statement that “The White House South Lawn is more than just a landscape. It is a living piece of U.S. history, a stage for global diplomacy and, truly, the backyard of the American people.”.
Donald Trump Scotts Miracle-Gro White House South Lawn UFC Freedom 250 National Park Service tall fescue Kentucky bluegrass turf restoration Amit Mehta