Why comedian Nate Bargatze is facing backlash after attending Donald Trump's UFC White House card

The UFC Freedom 250 card on the White House lawn brought out some big names, from Maxx Crosby and Matthew Tkachuk to Michael Irvin and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. One surprise name at the event was comedian Nate Bargatze.

Bargatze, whose current stand-up comedy tour is set to sell two million tickets, was spotted at the event that U.S. president Donald Trump spearheaded. 

The card, which was highlighted by Justin Gaethje's upset of Ilia Topuria to claim the UFC Lightweight Championship, included many members of the Trump administration in the crowd, along with military flyovers and fireworks. 

Here's what you need to know about the backlash Bargatze is facing after appearing at the UFC's Freedom 250 card.

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Was Nate Bargatze at UFC White House card?

Bargatze attended the UFC's Freedom 250 card at the White House on Sunday night. He posed for a picture with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with Kennedy's wife, Cheryl Hines. Cameras also found Bargatze among the crowd near the octagon set up on the South Lawn.

A representative for Bargatze told the Huffington Post that the comedian "to enjoy a sport he loves" and took a picture with Kennedy and Hines because he doesn't turn down photo requests.

Bargatze was one of more than 4,000 guests who were able to watch the Freedom 250 card up close, though about 80,000 watched from screens on the Ellipse south of the White House.

Bargatze was far from the only comedian in attendance, as Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe were also at the White House for the event while Mark Zuckerberg, Robert Kraft and James Dolan were among the biggest names who also showed.

MORE: Ilia Topuria's face before and after brutal loss to Justin Gaethje

Why Nate Bargatze is facing backlash for UFC White House attendance

Bargatze has developed a reputation as a clean comedian whose routines are generally non-political and family friendly. Nothing on that front has changed in Bargatze's stand-up acts, but some who oppose Trump were disappointed to see the comedian at the event the president helped put together.

In the current climate, it doesn't take much for a celebrity to draw backlash from one side of the aisle. Bargatze hasn't made any comments that support or oppose Trump and has been clear that he doesn't believe politics has any place in his comedy, but for some fans, his appearance at UFC's Freedom 250 card is an alignment with the president.

MORE: Why Sean Strickland was kicked out of UFC Freedom 250 at White House

Nate Bargatze politics

Speaking to the Huffington Post, a representative for Bargatze insisted the comedian is non-political and attended the Freedom 250 card as a UFC fan. 

"Nate is family friendly entertainment first," the representative said. "He is not political nor is anything he produces. He is also a huge UFC fan and has been since before it became political."

In recent years, Bargatze has defended his choice to shy away from politics in his stand-up routines.

"I don’t talk about [politics], but I enjoy them," he told the Washington Post in 2024. "I don’t think it’s what people are coming to me for."

A year later, Bargatze reiterated his position to Esquire.

"Once you run out of celebrities’ opinions on politics, maybe I’ll jump back in, but right now I just want to do the opposite," he said.

There won't be a shortage of celebrities' opinions on politics any time soon, so expect Bargatze appears set to stay away from the topic publicly even if some were disappointed to see him appear at the White House for the Freedom 250 card.