Trump’s plan to host a UFC fight at the White House has ignited backlash, with only 16 percent of Americans deeming it appropriate, according to a recent survey.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 46 percent of respondents find the event inappropriate. Among Republicans, just 31 percent support the idea, while a mere five percent of Democrats back it.
This disapproval reflects broader dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and its policies. A separate Reuters survey shows that 70 percent of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of cost-of-living issues, a jump from 63 percent during the inflation-ridden Biden administration.
In another poll by The Economist/YouGov, only 29 percent of Americans express approval for Trump’s economic management. His net approval rating on this issue plummets to negative 34 percent, marking the lowest point of his presidency.
The UFC fight is part of a series of public events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. However, a recent AP-NORC poll indicates that Americans feel less exceptional and place less importance on democracy than in previous years.
In stark contrast to the optimism during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, 41 percent of Americans now report being “generally pessimistic” about the country’s future, a significant rise from just 15 percent during that milestone.
Fox News recently asked Americans to describe the current state of the nation, and two-thirds opted for negative descriptors like “failing,” “divided,” “struggling,” or “corrupt.” Democrats were nearly twice as likely as Republicans to choose these downbeat terms.
Preparations for the mixed martial arts fight are nearly finalized, coinciding with the president’s 80th birthday. The UFC is constructing a massive arena and lighting grid known as “The Claw” on the White House lawn.
A federal lawsuit aims to halt the fight, claiming it represents a “volcano of corruption” for a commercial sports league and corporate sponsors to exploit the White House for a televised event.
The UFC, under the leadership of Trump ally Dana White, asserts it is financing the $60 million spectacle, with sponsorship from companies like Polymarket, where Donald Trump Jr. serves as an adviser.
