President Donald Trump’s planned UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn has required a monumental effort from more than seven federal agencies, hundreds of staff working onsite daily and at least $60 million, according to a legal filing that offers a glimpse into the preparations.
The Event
The event is part of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, and is scheduled for the weekend with the main attraction — seven mixed martial arts matches — on Sunday.
The arena is expected to hold 4,000 spectators, with another 120,000 visitors — who swung tickets from an online lottery — anticipated to watch from the nearby Ellipse.
Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed by two Virginia residents against the National Park Service, which oversees the South Lawn, argues that Trump’s authorization of the event violated National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands.
The National Park Service pushed back on that claim, but also detailed the event’s preparations to make a point.
All these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
