Larry David calls Trump’s White House UFC fight a “travesty” as he launches new HBO series

Larry David appeared at the Hollywood premiere of his new HBO limited series Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on June 26. The seven‑episode sketch comedy, produced with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, revisits key moments in U.S. history to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. While promoting the show, David sharply criticized the UFC event staged on the White House South Lawn for President Donald Trump’s birthday, calling it “a travesty…embarrassing” and saying it made him “embarrassed to be an American.”

The UFC card, promoted as a celebration of America’s semiquincentennial, was defended by CEO Dana White as non‑political. David also praised former President Barack Obama’s cameo in the series, noting Obama’s “perfect” comedic timing. Critics have given the series mixed reviews: Rotten Tomatoes shows a 60‑67% approval rating, with some praising the historical jokes and guest cast, while others describe the sketches as formulaic and overly long. Production took place primarily in Santa Clarita, California.

Overall, the story blends entertainment news with political commentary surrounding the controversial White House fight.