Dana White is not a politician.
He’s a fight promoter, as he noted eight years ago when he landed a speaking gig at the Republican National Convention to endorse Donald Trump, months before he won the presidency.
White, the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, returns to the political ring — or in UFC terms, the octagon — again to use his superb promoting skills to fight for Trump’s presidential election bid at the 2024 RNC in Milwaukee.
And this time, White will introduce his friend, Donald Trump, on stage at Fiserv Forum.
Who is Dana White and what is his connection to Donald Trump?
Who is Dana White?
Dana White, 54, is the longtime CEO and president of Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). UFC is a form of mixed martial arts.
White bought the company in 2001 and has helped it become a billion-dollar company with events all over the world.
UFC merged with World Wrestling Entertainment last year. Trump has a long history with WWE. There is a strong WWE presence at tonight’s RNC with Linda McMahon and Hulk Hogan speaking as well.
What time does Dana White speak at the RNC?
White will be the third speaker in the 8 to 9 p.m. time slot. He will speak after Donald Trump’s son, Eric, and right before Donald Trump, who’s scheduled to take the stage at 9 p.m.
Dana White and Donald Trump’s relationship
White and Trump go way back.
At the 2016 RNC, White started his speech noting how, when he was getting off the ground with UFC, there was little support and he struggled to find arenas to host his events.
“Nobody took us seriously, nobody except Donald Trump,” White said. “Donald was the first guy to recognize the potential that we saw in the UFC and encourage us to build our business.”
White said Trump hosted his first event at one of his hotels.
“Donald championed the UFC before it was popular, before it grew into a successful business,” White said. “I will always be so grateful.”
White has continued to offer his support politically for Trump in the years since that speech and donated to a super political action committee in Trump’s re-election bid in 2020.
Trump is often spotted at UFC fights.
Trump appeared at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, in June, and received huge applause. Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was also at that event.
Dana White’s full speech at the 2016 RNC
Dana White reacts to Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, RNC speaking opportunity
In the moments after Trump survived an assassination attempt last week, White took to social media to react. His post, which included a photo of Trump raising his fists to the crowd after the shooting, read in part:
“I am absolutely sick to my stomach and in complete shock. I’m praying President Trump is 100% healthy. This image perfectly reflects exactly the man I know Donald Trump to be. He is the toughest, most resilient, American BAD ASS on this planet. … And I can’t wait to stand up on stage with him on Thursday and introduce him at the Republican National Convention and tell the world exactly the character of the friend and man I know.”