Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has openly declared his departure from politics. White, who was an active supporter of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, expressed his disgust for politics, vowing to keep away from political activities in the future.

White and Trump’s friendship can be traced back to the early 2000s. During the infancy of UFC, Trump provided venues for the fighting events, setting the stage for a longstanding bond.

White’s political involvement included being a keynote speaker at the last three Republican National Conventions at Trump’s invitation. He was also part of the onstage celebration following Trump’s election success this month. At this event, White delivered a speech lauding Trump’s leadership and character, making the evening seem as much his own victory celebration as Trump’s.

White hailed Trump as one of the most courageous and tough men he has ever met. He narrated an incident where Trump displayed extraordinary composure when someone fired seven rounds at him from a scoped rifle, adding to White’s admiration for Trump’s resilience and fortitude.

However, despite being a significant figure in Trump’s campaign, White’s experiences have left him with a negative perception of politics.

In an interview with The New Yorker after UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 16, 2024, White expressed his aversion to politics, vowing, “I’m never (expletive) doing this again. I want nothing to do with this (expletive). It’s gross. It’s disgusting. I want nothing to do with politics.”

White’s contribution to Trump’s campaign included arranging his appearances on popular podcasts hosted by personalities such as Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and the Nelk Boys. These platforms gave Trump a direct line to audiences beyond the traditional media.

The culmination of White’s political engagement was evident at UFC 309, where Trump was in attendance along with figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and podcaster Joe Rogan. The event underscored the blend of politics, technology, and sports media in modern campaign strategies.

While White’s exit from politics is notable, it underscores the personal and professional challenges of political involvement, even for influential individuals with longstanding political connections.