The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President, Dana White, has confirmed that he will no longer be participating in any political activities, after his active support for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. White, who has declared the political sphere as “gross” and “disgusting,” has pledged to stay clear of politics in the future.
White’s relationship with Trump goes back to the early days of UFC in the 2000s when Trump provided venues for the UFC events.
White, as the President and CEO of UFC, was invited by Trump to speak at the last three Republican National Conventions. Recently, White was part of the onstage celebration following Trump’s election victory. During this event, White lauded Trump’s leadership and character in a speech that was viewed by many as a personal triumph.
White described Trump as one of the most courageous men he has ever encountered, noting Trump’s resilience, particularly during an incident where someone attempted to fire seven rounds at him with a high-powered, scoped rifle. White expressed his admiration of Trump’s bravery during this event, labeling him as “tougher and more badass than anybody.”
However, despite his significant contributions to Trump’s campaign, White has become disenchanted with the world of politics.
After UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 16, 2024, he told The New Yorker, “I’m never (expletive) doing this again. I want nothing to do with this (expletive). It’s gross. It’s disgusting. I want nothing to do with politics.”
White’s political efforts had involved facilitating Trump’s appearances on popular podcasts hosted by figures like Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and the Nelk Boys, providing Trump with direct access to audiences beyond traditional media outlets.
White’s political engagement reached its peak at UFC 309, where Trump was present alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and podcaster Joe Rogan. This event demonstrated the interplay of politics, technology, and sports media in modern campaign strategies.
White’s withdrawal from politics is notable, underscoring the complexities and personal impacts of political involvement, even for influential figures with established relationships.