Poll Finds Most Americans Oppose Trump’s White House Fight Night

A new Reuters-Ipsos poll says most Americans reject President Donald Trump’s plan to stage mixed martial arts bouts at the White House as part of his 80th birthday celebrations. The survey found only 16% support for the idea, while 46% opposed it and the rest gave no opinion.

The proposal also lacks majority backing among Republicans. Only 31% of Republican voters supported the White House fight-night idea, even though another recent poll found 80% of Republicans approve of Trump’s overall policies.

The article says some residents near the White House have gone to court to try to stop the event, arguing that sports events are prohibited on the South Lawn and that the large metal arena being built there has not received the required approval. The fights are scheduled for Sunday.

Preparations have already cost about $60 million, spent by federal authorities and the UFC on constructing the ring on the White House lawn, food purchases, and pay for 900 workers on site. Multiple federal bodies are involved, including the president’s office, the Secret Service, the U.S. Park Police, the Interior Department, the National Park Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration.