Dana White, the UFC president, has recently made headlines by discussing whether he would leave his position at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to join Donald Trump’s presidential team. White and the UFC played a major role in Trump’s election campaign, helping the Republican candidate connect with younger voters by having him appear at several pay-per-view shows. Despite the close ties between White and Trump, Dana White has made it clear that he has no interest in leaving the UFC for a political role.
Dana White’s Relationship with Donald Trump
Dana White’s connection with Donald Trump goes back to the early 2000s. Trump played an important role in helping UFC grow by offering the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City as a venue for events when the UFC was struggling to find places to host their fights. This support from Trump came when UFC was not yet a major brand and needed all the help it could get to build its reputation. Over the years, Trump has attended several UFC events, and his friendship with White has been seen as one of the main reasons the UFC became more popular.
White has always been grateful for Trump’s help. He has openly shared how Trump showed him kindness, sending congratulations when major achievements happened in his career, including after UFC made it to the cover of the New York Times. According to White, Trump has been like a close friend who has always been supportive, no matter how big or small the accomplishment.
Dana White’s Opinion on Politics
Despite his long-standing friendship with Trump and their shared history, White has no plans to enter the world of politics. When asked about it, White firmly stated, “I’m never f*ing doing this again. I want nothing to do with this st. It’s gross. It’s disgusting. I want nothing to do with politics.” These strong words show that White has no desire to leave his position at UFC for any role in Trump’s presidential team.
His strong reaction to politics highlights how much he values his career in the MMA world and how he wants to stay focused on that. White has also mentioned that Trump is an amazing person who is tougher than anyone, particularly referencing an incident where Trump survived a shooting attempt. This admiration shows the depth of their friendship, but it also makes clear that White is committed to his role in UFC and does not want to be part of the political scene.
The Impact of Trump on UFC’s Success
Trump’s support came at a time when UFC was struggling to grow its brand. White remembers how Trump made UFC events a reality in Atlantic City by offering a fair deal, even when UFC was a much smaller business. Trump’s belief in the potential of UFC helped the company gain more exposure, which eventually led to its rise in popularity. White often expresses his gratitude for Trump’s willingness to take a risk on UFC when others would not.
In fact, Dana White has often said that Trump’s faith in UFC helped launch the sport into a new era. White says that everything good that happened to him and UFC after that moment can be traced back to Trump’s decision to support them during those early years.
Dana White’s Commitment to UFC
In conclusion, while Dana White has a strong personal and professional connection with Donald Trump, he is committed to his work with the UFC. Despite the success they have shared over the years, White has no intention of stepping into the world of politics. He remains focused on the UFC and is determined to continue leading the organization. His dedication to MMA and his gratitude toward Trump for his support are what define his career at UFC, and it looks like he’ll continue to grow the sport rather than pursue a political career.
FAQs
1. How did Dana White and Donald Trump first meet?
Dana White and Donald Trump first met in the early 2000s when Trump offered UFC the chance to host events at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
2. What role did Trump play in UFC’s early success?
Trump provided UFC with venues to hold events when the company was struggling, helping UFC grow and gain visibility in the sports world.
3. Does Dana White want to work in politics?
No, Dana White has strongly stated that he has no interest in getting involved in politics, describing it as “gross” and “disgusting.”
4. How has Trump supported Dana White personally?
Trump has supported White by sending congratulations after major UFC milestones and offering advice and encouragement throughout White’s career.
5. What does Dana White think of Donald Trump?
Dana White considers Trump a tough and supportive friend, with White saying Trump is one of the toughest people he knows, particularly for surviving a shooting attempt.
