While more than 72 million Americans voted for Donald Trump to reclaim the role of U.S. President by early 2025, just a select few of his supporters and allies had the chance to share the spotlight with him as part of his acceptance speech early Wednesday morning.
Along with Vice President-elect JD Vance and one of the consultants on Trump’s campaign, a short amount of microphone time was given to UFC CEO Dana White.
“Nobody deserves this more than him and nobody deserves this more than his family does,” an excited and nervous White remarked, shortly before an election win for Trump became unanimously confirmed by major U.S. news networks. “This is what happens when the machine comes after you … This is karma, ladies and gentlemen.”
White’s spotlight during the acceptance speech highlighted his long-standing and recently intensified ties to Trump over the past couple of years in the lead-up to an election.
The current UFC CEO has touted a multi-decade relationship with Trump, claiming that their connection dates back to when he first acquired UFC in the early 2000s with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. Trump, as the story goes, provided support for the promotion as it was a taboo, mostly outlawed and struggling business in its early years.
But White’s bond with Trump has only truly hit the mainstream over the past eight years, as he has increasingly become involved with campaigns.
White was a speaker at the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions, providing his endorsement for Trump ahead of national elections – the former he won and the latter he lost.
At the convention earlier this year, White was given an elevated role: He was the last speaker to hit the stage before Trump, introducing the former President before his 90-minute talk.
In between those conventions, White’s UFC has played a major role in Trump’s campaign. As Trump looked to re-emerge in the public eye following a loss in the 2020 election – which he tried to overturn with unfounded claims of voter fraud – he found a reliable live, broadcasted event to showcase himself at: UFC pay-per-views.
Appearances by the candidate at numerous events over the past year have provided him with a flattering spotlight, showing him entering arenas to loud reactions and seeing fighters praise him following successful performances. The promotion was more than willing to give him camera time and link their history to his past.
Reporters and pundits have connected Trump’s closeness with White and more broadly the UFC in recent years to his attempt to attract male audiences who follow “manosphere” content creators. This includes entertainers who have largely male followings, like The Nelk Boys, live streamer Adin Ross, and Joe Rogan, all of whom White left room to shout out during his few moments on the microphone this week.
Trump’s lengthy pursuit of the young male demographic has proven successful: An Associated Press exit poll showed 52 percent of 18 to 44-year-old men voted for Trump in this week’s election, up seven percent for the Republican party in comparison to the 2020 race.
With a close ally in one of the most notable leadership positions in the world, White and the UFC could see benefits rolling in over the next few years. To what extent the Presidential power will help the top fight promotion, we’ll have to wait and see for the next four years.
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