Dana White isn't losing any sleep over whether his loyalty to President Donald Trump has cost the UFC business. In fact, he couldn't care less.
"I don't give a sh*t," White said on the "Katie Miller Podcast" this week when asked if his close relationship with Trump has hurt the UFC's bottom line. "I don't know the answer to that question. I've gotten to a point in my life, especially after COVID and all the nutty sh*t that went on during that time, that I only want to be in business with and talk to people that I'm aligned with."
It's a bold stance from the UFC CEO, especially given the current political climate. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll showed Trump's disapproval rating hitting a record 62%, driven by concerns over the economy, cost of living, and foreign policy. For most companies, aligning with such a polarizing figure would be a risky move. But the UFC has doubled down, becoming one of Trump's most visible corporate supporters over the past decade.
The promotion's ties to the president have only grown stronger in his second term. The most dramatic example? The UFC is set to host UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14—a one-of-a-kind sporting event that came directly from Trump's own idea after attending a recent UFC event.
Each time Trump has attended a UFC fight since becoming president, White has given his friend a hero's welcome, complete with a walkout to his cageside seat. The most recent came last month at UFC 327 in Miami, where Trump was greeted with thunderous applause. Beyond the arena, White has stumped for Trump at three separate Republican National Conventions and played a key role in his 2024 re-election campaign through targeted interviews and public endorsements.
For White, the calculus is simple. "I only want to be in business with and talk to people that I'm aligned with," he said. Whether that costs the UFC money? He doesn't know—and frankly, he doesn't want to know.
As the UFC prepares to make history with a White House fight card, one thing is clear: Dana White isn't backing down from his convictions, no matter the cost.