A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 16% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s plan to host a UFC mixed martial arts event at the White House, while 46% say it is inappropriate. The event is set to take place on Sunday and is intended to mark Trump’s 80th birthday as part of a wider slate of celebrations tied to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Support for the idea is also weak among Republicans, with just 31% saying it is appropriate, even though about eight in 10 Republicans approve of Trump’s overall performance as president. The survey indicates that the White House UFC plan is drawing more skepticism than enthusiasm, even within Trump’s own party.
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The planned event has become controversial on several fronts. Trump’s administration asked a judge on Tuesday to dismiss a legal challenge aimed at blocking the UFC card. Local residents argued that sporting events are not allowed on the White House’s South Lawn and that the large metal arena being built for the fight has not received the required approval.
The mixed martial arts event would feature fighters competing inside a 92-foot-tall octagon-shaped structure, using techniques such as punches, kicks, knees and elbows. The scale and location of the setup have added to the debate over whether the event is appropriate for the White House grounds.
The poll also showed that mixed martial arts is a niche sport compared with others. About 18% of respondents said they are fans of MMA, compared with 31% who said they follow basketball and 16% who follow U.S. soccer. Reuters said the nationwide online survey interviewed 4,531 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
Trump’s relationship with the UFC goes back many years. He has longstanding ties to the organization, dating to the early 2000s when he hosted UFC events at his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, before the property later went bankrupt. UFC Chief Executive Dana White is considered a close ally of Trump.
The planned White House event is part of a broader effort by Trump to stage public celebrations around major national milestones. Those plans have already faced criticism, including reports that some musical performers withdrew from the opening ceremony over concerns about being associated with Trump.
Overall, the poll suggests that the UFC showcase at the White House is a politically and culturally divisive idea, with limited public support and notable resistance even among Republicans.
