One of America's most celebrated comedic minds is pulling no punches when it comes to the intersection of professional sports and presidential celebrations.
Comedian Larry David has publicly condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary with a live Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match on the South Lawn of the White House, admitting the spectacle made him feel "embarrassed to be an American."
In a candid interview with Variety, the 78-year-old creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm voiced his strong disapproval of the historic fight night, which took place on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
"It was a travesty," David told the outlet, reflecting on the cage matches hosted on the presidential grounds. "What else can you say about it?"
The veteran comic went on to explain how the event impacted his own sense of national pride, describing a feeling of alienation from mainstream patriotic displays.
"It was embarrassing," David continued. "I was embarrassed to be an American."
#LarryDavid says President Donald Trump's UFC fight at the White House made him "embarrassed to be an American." pic.twitter.com/zFlCfeOwyG
— Variety (@Variety) June 24, 2026
David’s blunt remarks arrived during promotional events for his highly anticipated new HBO series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America. The limited, seven-episode sketch comedy series is scheduled to officially premiere on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The new show aims to satirize pivotal moments in U.S. history to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. It features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Jerry Seinfeld, Vince Vaughn, Rita Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jon Hamm, Bill Hader, and Kathryn Hahn.
Interestingly, the series is produced by Higher Ground Productions, the media company founded by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Barack Obama himself makes a highly anticipated cameo appearance in the show.
David praised the former president's comedic abilities, telling reporters that Obama proved to be "really good at ad-libbing" during their scenes together. HBO previously teased the collaboration with a clip of Obama joking about the difficulties of managing David's neurotic antics.