Washington, DC – The White House is set to host an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on Sunday to celebrate President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, also marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event will feature 14 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters in two title fights inside an Octagon cage on the South Lawn.

Approximately 4,000 invite-only guests are expected to attend this unprecedented spectacle. Trump, a former reality TV star and real estate mogul, has a long history with combat sports, dating back to his involvement with WWE in the 1980s. Experts say the event reflects Trump's pugilistic political style and helps him connect with young male voters.

The UFC audience skews heavily toward young men, a demographic often disengaged from politics. Joe Rogan, a prominent UFC commentator who endorsed Trump, will be on hand. However, Rogan has criticized holding official title fights outdoors and questioned the timing amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.

The event comes as Trump's approval ratings dip due to the war and economic strain, with high gas prices. A Reuters-Ipsos poll found only 16% of Americans consider the event appropriate, while 46% deem it inappropriate. A lawsuit to halt the event failed, with the administration revealing over $60 million in spending across seven federal agencies, though the UFC is said to cover most costs.

Critics argue the event projects an image of the wealthy elite enjoying blood sport while the country faces economic hardship. The Trump administration, however, frames it as a display of American strength and a 'warrior ethos,' with UFC President Dana White and Secretary of State Marco Rubio signing a 'sports diplomacy' agreement to promote the brand globally.

Source: www.aljazeera.com