UFC CEO Dana White is pushing back against one of the most persistent assumptions about his political identity. Despite his high-profile friendship with President Donald Trump and frequent appearances alongside conservative figures, White insists the public has him pegged wrong.
“I’m probably not as as far right as everybody thinks I am,” White revealed during an appearance on The Skinny Confidential podcast. “Everybody thinks I’m like far right. I literally up until the world lost its mine considered myself to be liberal. I leaned, you know, a little left.”
The clarification comes amid ongoing debate about the UFC’s political alignment, with some analysts arguing the organization has deliberately cultivated a conservative identity.
White’s close relationship with Trump has been well-documented. He spoke at Trump’s 2016 Republican National Convention.
Additionally, he was present at Mar-a-Lago when Trump won the 2024 election. The UFC chief has also welcomed prominent right-wing personalities like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Elon Musk to UFC events.
But White maintains his political involvement stems from personal loyalty rather than ideological commitment. “I’m not really even that political to be honest with you,” he said, describing the biggest misconception people have about him.
White’s relationship with Trump dates back to the early days of the UFC when the organization struggled to find venues willing to host events. Trump provided the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City when few others would take the risk.
“Trump got it from from the beginning,” White explained. “Not only did he have us at the Taj, gave us a very fair deal, and he showed up to the first fight of the night and was there till the end.”
That early support created a bond White has never forgotten. When Trump announced his presidential run in 2015, he asked White to speak at the convention.
Despite nearly everyone advising against it, White agreed. “I didn’t look at it, oh, is he going to win or lose? Like, this is a guy that’s been great to me. He’s asking me, you know, I have nothing but incredible things to say about Donald Trump.”
White described Trump as “one of my best friends” and praised his work ethic and resilience. “I’ve never ever seen a more resilient human being. This guy, a harder working guy, and just he doesn’t end,” White said.
The UFC CEO emphasized that loyalty drives his decisions more than political calculation. “I’m one of these guys that I don’t forget,” he said. “I don’t take anything for granted and I don’t forget.”
