Hunter Biden addressed podcast titan Joe Rogan and the controversy surrounding UFC Freedom 250 in an open letter posted to X.
The message ultimately culminated in an unexpected challenge that quickly gained attention online: a cage match between Hunter, 56, and Donald Trump Jr., 48.
Hunter began by making it clear that his criticism was not directed at the UFC itself, its athletes, or those who attended the event.
“For me, it had nothing to do with the UFC or who showed up for the matches,” he wrote. Praising the promotion’s success, he added, “The brand you and Dana have built is a bona fide American success story. More power to you.”
He also expressed admiration for the athletes who competed, writing, “As for the athletes, in my book, anyone brave enough to put it all on the line in the arena is remarkable to witness. Their dedication and discipline inspire me. I don’t understand anyone who can’t admire that.”
Hunter even singled out comedian Shane Gillis for praise.
“I, for one, love Shane Gillis,” he wrote. “I think he’s hilarious and brilliant. It was a show. A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. I can’t blame anyone for wanting to witness it firsthand.”
The letter came in response to comments Rogan made on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where he pushed back against critics who viewed attendance at the White House event as a political statement.
“So many people are trying to make it a partisan thing, like they’re mad at people for being there,” Rogan said. He argued that attending an event at the White House should not automatically be interpreted as political support, adding, “Like, oh, you support Trump. Like, it’s an event at the White House. Doesn’t mean you endorse foreign policy.”
Growing increasingly frustrated with the criticism, Rogan bluntly concluded, “Like, shut the f**k up. Just please stop.”
The longtime UFC commentator also described the evening as unlike anything he had experienced during his career in combat sports.
“That was the wildest experience that I’ve ever had in my 20 whatever years of calling combat sports,” Rogan said. He noted that thousands of fans filled the South Lawn while another 85,000 people gathered at the nearby Ellipse.
At the same time, Rogan cautioned supporters against turning the event into a broader political statement.
“The right celebrates this as a win for masculinity and patriotism and all these different things,” he said before adding, “Like, okay, settle down. Everybody settle down.”
While Hunter did not dispute that the event was historic or entertaining, he argued that his concerns centered on the symbolism of hosting it at the White House.
“I believe some of our public spaces are sacred,” he wrote. “Unlike many of the great powers that came before us, these American monuments belong to all of us. Not to whoever happens to hold power at the moment.”
From there, his criticism sharpened as he compared the event to displays of power associated with ancient empires.
“The White House does not belong to Donald Trump. It does not belong to any President. It belongs to the people,” Hunter wrote. He continued, “To treat it as Caesar treated the Colosseum is antithetical to everything our founding fathers fought for. This is not Rome. Presidents are not emperors doling out bread and circuses for the peasants.”
Hunter further argued that the event could have been held elsewhere without controversy.
“This ‘celebration’ could have happened in any stadium within a stone’s throw of the South Lawn. No one would have had an issue with it,” he wrote.
According to Hunter, the decision to host the event at the White House was intentional and carried a deeper message.
“By holding the event on the South Lawn, what he was saying to the rest of us is: ‘This is my house. I own it. I will do with it what I please,'” Hunter wrote.
He then expanded on that interpretation, adding, “‘I’ll build a colosseum and have the gladiators compete under my gaze. I’ll tear down the East Wing. I’ll pave over the Rose Garden. I’ll cover everything in gold and marble. I’ll erase the names of all the men who came before me.'”
Hunter concluded his letter with a broader reflection on the presidency and the role of public institutions.
“The matches were an exhibition of imperial domination, not a celebration of our 250th anniversary as a democracy,” he wrote.
He continued, “The White House is not Buckingham Palace. It is not the Palace of Versailles. It is not the Forbidden City of Beijing. It does not belong to an emperor, or a king, or a commissar.”
Emphasizing that the office belongs to the American people rather than any individual leader, Hunter added, “The White House belongs to us. All of us. The person who sits behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office is nothing more than an honored guest. A temporary caretaker.”
He signed off with a final declaration: “The President is our servant. Not our Caesar.”
Then came the postscript that quickly ignited social media discussion.
“Cage match between me and Don Jr.?” Hunter wrote. “Your call on the venue. Anywhere but the South Lawn.”
As of publication, Trump Jr. has not publicly responded to the challenge.
