Dana White was once a near-constant presence on Donald Trump’s campaign trail, throwing his full support behind the Republican candidate in his bid for re-election. The UFC president, who has a longstanding friendship with the 78-year-old, became one of Trump’s most vocal advocates, even making appearances alongside him at campaign rallies and celebrating his electoral victories.
White’s unwavering loyalty to Trump made him a familiar face at Trump’s events and a prominent figure in Republican circles.
White’s support for Trump was so ardent that he was invited to speak at the last three Republican National Conventions. He often praised Trump not just as a politician, but as a personal friend who had stood by him and supported the UFC during its early days, when the sport struggled for mainstream acceptance.
White’s praise for Trump was unrestrained, and he even had the opportunity to speak at Trump’s victory celebration at Mar-a-Lago after his latest triumph at the ballot box. White’s speech was filled with glowing words for Trump, and he seemed to share in the victory as much as Trump himself.
However, now that Trump has successfully secured his return to the White House, Dana White has made a surprising declaration: he wants nothing to do with politics going forward, including Trump’s second term. In a candid interview with The New Yorker, White expressed his disillusionment with the world of politics. “I’m never fing doing this again,” White said. “I want nothing to do with this s. It’s gross. It’s disgusting. I want nothing to do with politics.” The statement marks a complete 180 from White’s previously enthusiastic involvement in Trump’s campaign.
White’s sudden change of heart suggests that his foray into the political arena may have left him feeling jaded and disillusioned.
Despite his deep friendship with Trump, White appears unwilling to continue playing a role in the political landscape. “I was there for Trump, and that’s it,” White added, indicating that his political allegiance extended solely to Trump, and not to the Republican Party or the broader political machine.
Trump and White have shared a mutual admiration for years, with Trump being one of the first prominent figures to support the UFC when it was still a fledgling organization. Trump allowed the UFC to host events at his properties when other venues were reluctant, helping the sport gain traction. White has never forgotten that support, and he has frequently credited Trump with playing a crucial role in the UFC’s success. “As the UFC has grown, there’s been a lot of people that have jumped on the bandwagon and became fans,” White said. “Trump was there from the beginning.”
Trump, in turn, has often praised White’s leadership and the success of the UFC, calling White a visionary who helped elevate mixed martial arts to a global phenomenon.
Their mutual support was evident again when Trump attended UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden just days after his re-election, arriving with White and Elon Musk in tow. The trio’s appearance generated significant buzz, with fans cheering for Trump throughout the night as he sat cageside.
During the event, American fighter Jon Jones secured a victory over Stipe Miocic and took the opportunity to dedicate his win to the president-elect. Jones, clearly in high spirits, led the crowd in chants of “USA!” and even mimicked Trump’s now-iconic arm-shimmy dance. “A big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” Jones said inside the octagon before presenting Trump with his championship belt.
“I’m proud to be a great American champion. I’m proud to be a Christian-American champion.” The moment was a vivid display of the intersection of sports and politics, and it underscored the close ties between Trump and the UFC.
Despite his continued support for Trump on a personal level, White has made it clear that he is done with the political spotlight. “I’m done with politics. It’s not for me,” White told The New Yorker. “You can only pray that you’re a quarter of the man that Donald Trump was when a guy tried to take seven shots at his head with a high-powered rifle with a f***ing scope on it. Trump is tougher and more badass than anybody.” White’s admiration for Trump as an individual remains evident, but his desire to engage in political campaigning has vanished.
White’s decision to distance himself from politics going forward marks a significant departure from his recent public persona.
Throughout Trump’s campaign, he was a vocal advocate, frequently appearing at rallies and using his platform to bolster Trump’s message. His abrupt exit from the political stage comes as a surprise, particularly to those who saw him as a steadfast ally of the former president.
For now, White seems intent on refocusing on his role within the UFC, an organization he has helped build into one of the most successful sports franchises in the world. He’s made it clear that the political arena, with all its complexities and controversies, is not where he wants to be. “I’ll always be friends with Trump,” White concluded. “But politics? I’m done. I want to get back to doing what I love, and that’s putting on the best fights in the world.”
White’s shift underscores the complexities of mixing business, personal relationships, and politics. While he remains one of Trump’s most high-profile friends, the experience has apparently soured him on the world of political campaigning.
His abrupt U-turn might disappoint some within the Republican Party, who have come to see White as an important voice, but it also underscores his commitment to staying true to himself—and to the sport he helped popularize.
