On The New Yorker Radio Hour, UFC President Dana White opened up about his political identity and his long-standing friendship with Donald Trump, offering a perspective that may surprise those who view him strictly as a Trump ally.
When host David Remnick asked where he stands politically, White said his views have always been rooted in what he considers common sense.
“I would say that my politics have always been common sense, down the middle, leaning a little left,” White explained. Reflecting on his younger years in Massachusetts, he added, “I would consider myself an 80s, 90s Democrat.”
When Remnick asked whether his politics had shifted over the years, White insisted they had not. “No. I haven’t changed,” he said.
Pressed further on whether he still considers himself a center-left Democrat, White responded, “Yeah. Yeah.”
White also revisited the origins of his friendship with Trump, which began long before Trump entered politics. According to White, Trump played a major role in helping the UFC during its early years by hosting UFC 30 and UFC 31 at the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City in 2001.
“He showed up for the match fight of the night and stayed till the end both times that we went there,” White recalled.
Years later, when Trump reached out about speaking at the 2016 Republican National Convention, White said the future president approached him without pressure.
“If you don’t want to do this, I completely understand, but I would be honored if you would speak for me at the Republican Convention,” Trump told him, according to White.
White emphasized that his appearances at Republican conventions were motivated by personal loyalty rather than political ideology.
“In any of my speeches at the conventions or any of that, I don’t ever say the left is wrong or the left is bad or the left is this,” White said. “I spoke about who he is as a person and as a friend and as a human being.”
When the conversation shifted toward criticism of Trump, White strongly defended him, arguing that much of the backlash stems from politics.
“It comes from politics. That’s where it comes from,” White said.
He also dismissed accusations that Trump is racist or authoritarian.
“He’s not a racist. He’s not a fascist. He loves this country,” White stated. “And if you’re an American, race, religion, whatever it is, President Trump is on your team.”
At the same time, White admitted there are aspects of Trump’s public behavior he would change if he could.
“I wish I could take his Twitter away,” he joked.
While he declined to discuss specific policy disagreements in detail, White acknowledged that he does not agree with Trump on everything.
“I’m not saying that I agree with all his policies,” he said.
Asked what he believes Trump deserves credit for as president, White pointed to security and foreign policy.
“Securing our borders. I mean, how do you not give him credit for that? The Middle East,” White said.
He also commented on Trump’s appearance and energy after recently having dinner with him.
“He looks like he’s in better shape than the last time I saw him,” White remarked. “And he was on point last night.”
Toward the end of the interview, Remnick asked White whether he looks forward to a future where he no longer has to answer questions about Trump once his presidency eventually ends.
White made it clear that his loyalty to Trump is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
“People can ask me about Donald Trump for the rest of my life and I’ll tell you all the great things that I love about this guy,” White said. “What I’ll be happy to be out of is politics.”
