After a successful 2024 campaign, Donald Trump is set to once again serve as President of the United States, and some credit for his victory goes to key figures within the MMA community. UFC co-creator Campbell McLaren believes that the backing of influential personalities like UFC President Dana White and popular podcast host Joe Rogan played a pivotal role in helping Trump make significant gains among young voters.
Trump’s connection with the UFC dates back to 2001, a time when the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) was still struggling for legitimacy. Back then, Dana White was facing difficulty finding venues willing to host UFC events, as MMA was largely frowned upon and not yet sanctioned in most states.
It was Donald Trump who extended a helping hand, allowing White to host UFC events at the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At a time when few venues would take the risk, Trump’s support helped the fledgling sport grow, cementing a bond between him and White that remains strong to this day.
Fast forward to 2024, and the UFC has grown into the premier fight promotion organization in the world, with MMA now legalized in all 50 states. The UFC is valued at over $12 billion, and its growth has paralleled the rise in popularity of the sport across the United States. Through it all, Dana White’s loyalty to Trump has never wavered. White has been an outspoken supporter of Trump, speaking at all three Republican National Conventions since Trump began his political career in 2016.
In the 2024 election cycle, White was not alone in his public endorsement of Trump. Joe Rogan, UFC broadcaster and host of one of the most popular podcasts in the world, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” also voiced his support for Trump.
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Rogan featured both Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance as guests on his podcast in the critical weeks leading up to Election Day. These appearances drew massive viewership, with Trump’s episode alone garnering over 47 million views on YouTube.
The platform provided Trump with a direct line to Rogan’s audience, which is largely composed of young males aged 18 to 34—a demographic crucial to Trump’s electoral success.
This audience proved instrumental in bolstering Trump’s popularity with young voters, a group that had overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election. In 2024, however, Trump received 52% of the vote from this demographic, marking a significant shift in his favor.
The impact of Rogan’s endorsement and platform cannot be overstated, as it allowed Trump to reach an audience that is often skeptical of mainstream media and traditional political campaigning.
Campbell McLaren, reflecting on the election results, spoke with Sportico on Friday, highlighting the role that the MMA community played in Trump’s victory. He stated that it is no exaggeration to say that the MMA community “won the election” for Trump.
“Remember, I am a promoter, so I’m allowed a certain amount of hyperbole,” McLaren admitted. “In 30 years, the sport has gone from being an outcast—Senator John McCain, a Republican, was really trying to get it banned—to now, where the UFC and MMA have become mainstream. And not just mainstream, but influential in the political sphere.
“In 30 years, we’ve gone from being banned to having political power. And I think the UFC, Dana White, and certainly Joe Rogan played an enormous part in Donald Trump’s popularity, particularly in reaching young men. Trump acknowledges that, and I think it’s fairly obvious. It’s amazing to think about, right? In just three decades, the sport went from being marginalized to being a significant cultural and political force.”
Trump himself played into this narrative, recognizing the importance of his audience and tailoring his messaging to appeal to young male voters. The strategy appears to have worked effectively, helping him secure a return to the White House.
With Trump’s victory highlighting the influence of figures like Dana White and Joe Rogan, political strategists are likely taking note.
As the landscape of media and sports continues to evolve, we may well see more candidates attempting to tap into the fan bases of influential personalities and sporting leagues like the UFC to boost their own popularity in future elections.
The success of Trump’s outreach through the MMA community serves as a case study in how unconventional platforms and personalities can sway public opinion and mobilize voters.
