Zac Brown said his performance at the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House’s South Lawn was meant to honor veterans and lift up America—not to score political points—after he faced online blowback. The Grammy-winning country artist sang alongside the Unite
Zac Brown stepped onto the South Lawn of the White House to sing the national anthem for UFC Freedom 250, but he wasn’t stepping into a fight about politics—he was trying to keep the focus where he said it belonged.
“Since the beginning, I’ve stood for patriotism, not politics. We’re there to honor our veterans; that’s a huge veteran event that’s happening when we’re there that night. We’re there to honor them,” Brown said in a recent interview.
He added that the message was bigger than a single night on stage: “We’re there to lift up America, remind them of all the people that have made sacrifices and currently make sacrifices so we can live our American dream.”
Brown, 47, performed on Sunday, June 14, singing alongside the United States Marine Band on the South Lawn after the White House UFC event experienced a weather delay that left the crowd still filling in. He took the stage ahead of the night’s main fight card.
The performance was part of a broader celebration tied to President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, Flag Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Brown—who is a Grammy winner and a longtime UFC fan—acknowledged the backlash he had faced online before the event. He shrugged off the criticism, saying, “People are going to say whatever they’re going to say.”
He continued, “But I don’t let those things define me and what my purpose is. I know what I stand for; I know who I am, and I know what we’re doing there. We’re there to honor America.”
“Our purpose in being there is for America, period,” he said.
His UFC connection stretches beyond fandom. Brown has competed on his college judo team, and he framed his role at UFC Freedom 250 through a personal lens: “The UFC has always taken care of me. I’m a massive fan of UFC.”
His weekend appearances didn’t stop at the White House. Brown also performed at the Freedom 250 Fan Fest and played a set after the June 13 ceremonial weigh-ins at the Ellipse.
Before Brown took the stage, President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White walked out from the Oval Office to a balcony to greet the crowd. A flyover followed the national anthem performance, with the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds taking part.
For Brown, the timing and setting seemed to be the point—an arena of national celebration with a specific promise behind it: veterans honored, sacrifices recognized, and America centered—no matter what people chose to argue online.
Zac Brown UFC Freedom 250 White House national anthem Dana White Donald Trump United States Marine Band Navy Blue Angels U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Flag Day 250th anniversary veterans