“Dana White (18782092135)” by Andrius Petrucenia is licensed below CC BY-SA 2.0.
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UFC CEO Dana White is planning to host an Final Combating Championship occasion on the White Home garden on June 14, which can be President Donald Trump’s birthday. White has dismissed issues that the occasion is “overtly political,” regardless of its location and timing.
As reported by Fox Information, White pointed to his decades-long friendship with Trump, which dates again to his early days operating the UFC. He endorsed Trump in the course of the 2024 presidential marketing campaign and spoke on the Republican Nationwide Conference.
When requested whether or not he ought to tone down political associations to keep away from alienating followers, White rejected the thought. “How about be genuine and simply be your self?” he stated, including that folks can disagree and nonetheless “get alongside.”
White says occasion displays authenticity, not politics
White has beforehand disregarded criticism about holding the occasion on the White Home, which can be tied to celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. He stated he doesn’t see how the venue alone makes the struggle political. The broader information cycle has additionally included a DHS terror alert name.
He in contrast Trump’s curiosity in UFC to different presidents’ sports activities preferences, noting that George W. Bush was a baseball fan and Barack Obama adopted the NBA. In White’s view, a president’s fandom doesn’t robotically politicize a sport.
White has additionally argued that Trump connects with youthful audiences, together with by means of appearances on common podcasts geared toward male listeners. Separate protection has centered on People transferring overseas surge. He stated he believed that demographic might relate to Trump, describing him as “a man’s man.”
Regardless of questions on optics, White has maintained that the White Home occasion is solely an extension of his private relationship with Trump and the president’s curiosity within the UFC. He has not indicated any plans to alter or relocate the June 14 struggle.
