Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to generate excitement for Sunday's UFC cage fight at the White House on Thursday, but his remarks drew widespread mockery after he compared the sport to the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Rubio's Remarks
Speaking to reporters, Rubio praised the upcoming event, which will honor President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, and described it as embodying the audacious spirit of America that has existed since the nation's founding nearly 250 years ago.
Before signing a deal that will allow the use of "cage fights for diplomacy," Rubio made the controversial comparison.
"When President Kennedy announced that we were going to put a man on the moon and return them safely to the earth, no one thought that was possible, and we did it," Rubio said. "We are a nation founded on doing what no one else dared to do, and no one else aspired to do."
He added: "And at some level, that's what this whole company, what UFC has been."
Social Media Backlash
Unsurprisingly, many on social media expressed disbelief that Rubio would equate a sports league centered on physical combat with one of humanity's greatest achievements.
Critics were quick to respond. Andy (@AndrewDevoss) tweeted: "John Kennedy set a goal of putting a man on the Moon. Donald Trump set a goal of turning the White House grounds into a carnivalesque environment where UFC fights are held."
Jim Stewartson (@jimstewartson) wrote: "Man on the Moon, bloodsport… you know, American progress."
Linda (@Crackerthe4th) commented: "Marco is comparing Pres Kennedy sending someone to the moon to Trump's UFC fight? What a sycophantic loser Marco turned out to be."
Dean Baker (@DeanBaker13) added: "Cool, Kennedy said we'll put a man on the moon, Trump said we'll hold a UFC match on the White House lawn. It's true greatness!"
John Collins (@Logically_JC) quipped: "Yeah, NASA and UFC are totally the same thing."
Andrew (@AmoneyResists) noted: "'At some level' is doing some serious work here."
Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) asked: "Siri, is there any low too low for Marco Rubio?"
Laurie (@TherapyDogsRock) said: "Putting a man on the moon is pretty awesome. Beating the snot out of someone and giving them a TBI, not so much. How far Rubio has fallen."
Paul Catalina (@PaulCatalina) remarked: "To Marco Rubio, cage fighting is as innovative as the moon landing. Also commentary on UFC should have long been under the purview of the Secretary of State."
Reed Galen (@reedgalen) wrote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what oligarchs can do for each other..."
Ron Marz (@ronmarz) concluded: "I too often confuse the moon landing with UFC. Who among us has not?"
