Story perspectives

Spelling Bee Relocates to Constitution Hall for Trump-80, Security Tightened

5/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Scripps National Spelling Bee moved to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., for a UFC Freedom 250 event celebrating U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Tuesday’s preliminaries featured 167 spellers after 80 were eliminated.
Families reported hallways, limited dining and shuttle-bus rides between the J.W. Marriott hotel and the hall.
Security used guards, metal detectors and dogs after a shooting at a nearby White House checkpoint three days earlier.

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Story summary

The Scripps National Spelling Bee moved to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., for a UFC Freedom 250 event celebrating U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Tuesday’s preliminaries featured 167 spellers after 80 were eliminated.
Families reported hallways, limited dining and shuttle-bus rides between the J.W. Marriott hotel and the hall.
Security used guards, metal detectors and dogs after a shooting at a nearby White House checkpoint three days earlier.