UFC CEO Dana White said on Monday he has “never had one person” criticize him in public for speaking in support of President Donald Trump.
White became friends with Trump through the president’s love of fighting sports, recalling how they met at a UFC fight at the Trump Taj Mahal in New Jersey. Trump would later ask White to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention, which White said he accepted despite being advised by “everybody” not to.
White said he was advised not to speak at the RNC because people told him, “Don’t get into politics,” and were predicting Trump would lose the 2024 election. However, White said Trump is “a great friend,” and there was “no way” he wasn’t going to deliver this speech.
“I never get any negativity from it ever. It’s the exact opposite!” White said on Verdict with Ted Cruz. “When I’m out in the streets and I go places, people always come up to me and say, ‘Thanks for —,’ I’ve never, ever had one person walk up to me or yell or say something to me, anything about Trump.
“And here’s the thing: when I do speak, you don’t ever hear me talk negatively about the other side,” White said. “I tell you why everything they say about this guy is a lie, and he’s not what they say he is. He’s actually a good man who loves this country, cares about people, and I just talk about who he is as a person.”
White also revealed he was “pushing” Trump to conduct podcast interviews on the 2024 campaign trail, one of several factors that contributed to his victory against former Vice President Kamala Harris. One of the podcasts Trump went on was The Joe Rogan Experience.
White said host Joe Rogan tried “so hard” not to involve himself in politics, and added Rogan’s talent as a host stems from being “a good listener” and discussing “interesting” topics.
White said Rogan used to be “very liberal,” but has since shifted his political beliefs “when the world started to lose its mind.” White also said he used to be “liberal,” but “common sense” made him change.
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UFC is hosting its first fight at the White House, UFC Freedom 250, on June 14, Trump’s birthday, and is one of several events the United States is hosting to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Constitution. White said it is “surreal” to be able to host this event, and UFC is putting on “one of the greatest live events anybody has ever seen.”
White said on Thursday the event will host 85,000 people at Ellipse Park at the White House, and the UFC will be giving these tickets away for “free.” He said details on ticket distribution will be revealed “soon.”
The Washington Examiner contacted Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) office for comment.
