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Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a bizarre take on President Donald Trump’s planned UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn, scheduled for his 80th birthday, amid mounting legal backlash and political controversy.
During a UFC signing ceremonyThursday at the State Department, Rubio argued that the event, which is costing more than $60 million, according to a recent court filing, is a “gift to the American people.”
The event, which is part of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, is slated for Sunday.
“The White House is the People’s House. It belongs to the people of the United States. The America 250 celebration belongs to the people of the United States. And there are millions and millions of Americans from all walks of life that are not necessarily attuned to politics or the financial markets or anything else, but they love this sport,” Rubio began.
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“For them to be able to see this event with their White House in the background as part of our celebration as a country and our 250 years, I think is a gift to the American people,” he continued. “That’s what Sunday is about. It’s a gift to the American people. They’re going to see their White House in their capital on their nation’s birthday celebrating with a historic event.”
Rubio added: “And we’re happy to be a part of that.”
Despite Rubio’s claims, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 16% of Americans consider the event to be appropriate and approve of Trump hosting the event at the White House.
Rubio’s remarks follow the Trump administration’s request that a federal judge reject a bid to halt Sunday’s UFC fight card, arguing that the lawsuit contending that the event is unlawful, filed Saturday by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of two Virginia residents, was filed too late to make any changes.
The White House previously called the lawsuit an ”obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory” attempt to prevent the event from taking place.
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