David Slams Trump Event
Larry David Denounces Trump's White House UFC Event as 'Travesty' on New HBO Show
Key Points
Premiere of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness features a star-studded guest roster, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, Sean Hayes, Joe Manganiello, Jane Krakowski, Greg Kinnear, Alan Tudyk, Rita Wilson, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vince Vaughn; the series is co-created by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, with Schaffer directing all episodes.
Barack Obama appears in a skit for the show, and Higher Ground (the Obamas' production company) is producing Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness; David said Obama has 'perfect' comedic timing and was adept at ad-libbing, noting the Obamas reached out to him to join the project (including their golf friendship and a past Super Bowl ad).
A UFC octagon was built on the White House South Lawn for the Trump-hosted event, complete with corporate sponsor advertisements; one fighter delivered a vile insult to Michelle Obama.
The show is positioned as a satirical take on American history and is produced by Higher Ground, signaling a collaboration that blends political commentary with a high-profile entertainment lineup.
Comedian Larry David called President Donald Trump's White House UFC event "a travesty" and said it made him "embarrassed to be an American" Yahoo. He made the remarks on June 20 at the Hollywood premiere of his new HBO show, *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America*.
The UFC event took place on June 14 on the White House South Lawn. It was staged to mark Trump's 80th birthday and America's 250th anniversary. A full octagon was built on the lawn, complete with corporate sponsor logos. During a post-fight interview, one fighter delivered what critics called a "vile insult" directed at former First Lady Michelle Obama Mediaite.
David Blasts Corporate Logos on the South Lawn
Larry David did not hold back. "To see corporate logos for energy drinks plastered on the South Lawn while guys pummel each other for a birthday party... it's a travesty," he told reporters OK Magazine. Sponsors including Monster Energy and Crypto.com had branding displayed on the White House grounds — something critics say has no historical precedent.
Dana White, the UFC's CEO and a long-time Trump ally, defended the event. He said, "This is the biggest stage in the world for the toughest sport in the world." The White House called it the "People's Celebration" and dismissed David as an "out-of-touch Hollywood elite" Irish Star.
Obama Praised as Trump Gets Slammed at the Same Premiere
At the same event where David slammed Trump, he praised former President Barack Obama in glowing terms. Obama appears in a skit for the new series, which is produced by Obama and Michelle Obama's company, Higher Ground. David said Obama has "perfect" comedic timing and was great at ad-libbing. He called working with him "trippy" Yahoo.
David has a long history of criticizing Trump. In 2015, he shouted "You're a racist!" at Trump during a *Saturday Night Live* monologue. Later seasons of *Curb Your Enthusiasm* used MAGA hats as plot devices Mediaite. His new show leans into that same satirical energy, using American history as the backdrop.
Star-Studded Show Satirizes 250 Years of American History
*Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness* features 13 celebrity guests, including Jerry Seinfeld, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, and Jane Krakowski, among others AOL. The show is co-created by David and Jeff Schaffer, who directed every episode. It takes aim at key moments in American history through a comedic lens.
Co-creator Jeff Schaffer said the show's satire of American history became "accidentally more relevant" after the White House fight. Higher Ground's involvement signals a deliberate push into prestige political comedy. The show is set to be one of HBO's biggest releases of the year Yahoo.
Fighter's Insult to Michelle Obama Widens the Backlash
The UFC event drew fresh condemnation after a winning fighter made what reporters described as a "vile insult" toward Michelle Obama during a post-fight interview Mediaite. The remark spread quickly on social media and drew a response from Democratic leaders. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries called the event "a stain on the dignity of the Executive Mansion."
A Reuters/Ipsos flash poll found that 35% of respondents called the UFC event "inappropriate," while 42% found it "entertaining" Irish Star. Calls are now growing for a "Dignity in Office Act" that would ban commercial advertising on White House grounds. The debate shows no sign of slowing as the first episode of David's show prepares to air.
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