Tucker Carlson stated that, according to Donald Trump, Dana White is “the sole essential person in all American sports.”
The Fox News host stated that he spoke with the former president before to airing an interview with the UFC president on his program “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Monday.
“Yesterday, I spoke with Trump about you, and he described you as “the single indispensable figure in all of American athletics.” You could remove all participants from any sport and the sport would still exist. If Dana White left UFC, UFC would cease to exist.”
Carlson then asked White how long he anticipated remaining in the combat sports industry as the market-leading figurehead of an MMA company.
White stated, “I hope I’ve developed a firm over the past 22 years that will endure and thrive regardless of who comes and leaves.”
“I am certain that when I depart, the appropriate person must be in place to take my position. There is a formula for conducting business in this industry “White said. People are currently attempting to mimic what the UFC is doing, but without success.
“When I do decide to depart, which won’t be any time soon,” he added, “I have the appropriate people in place.”
Then, White discussed his relationship with Trump.
Donald Trump is an avid sports fan. Dana White stated that Donald Trump had previously visited UFC events.
Image via Getty Images
White referred to Trump as a “very, very dear buddy” and stated that their friendship dates back to “the day I met him.”
He told Carlson, “When we bought this company, it had such a negative reputation in sports that we couldn’t enter arenas; venues didn’t want us.”
White stated that Trump was instrumental in bringing UFC events to New Jersey in the early 2000s, including “UFC 31: Locked and Loaded” on May 4, 2001, which featured bouts between Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, and B.J. Penn.
“Donald Trump understood that this might potentially be significant. Moreover, he is a sports fan. He enjoys athletics. He volunteered to host the event at the Atlantic City Trump Taj Mahal.
“He gave us a very fair deal, traveled there, and participated in two events with us,” White said on Fox News. “He participated in the first and last fights.”
UFC president Dana White told Tucker Carlson on Monday’s Fox News broadcast that Donald Trump become a major supporter of his.
Photograph taken by Tucker Carlson Currently / Fox News
Whenever White did something excellent in his career or received public acclaim, Trump would offer his congratulations, according to White.
“Once, we were featured on the front of The New York Times, and he congratulated me by saying, “I always knew you were going to accomplish it, Dana.” And sent the paper to me.”
White stated that Trump was “genuinely pleased with my success.”
He concluded by stating: “Then, when he decided to run for president, he reached out to me by calling me one day. He began the call by saying, “If you don’t want to do this, I entirely understand and have no hard feelings, but I’d be honored if you spoke at the Republican National Convention on my behalf.” I stated that I will be present.
The day after I talked, our friendship reached a whole new level.
White recently referred to the FBI’s raid at Mar-a-Lago as “insanity” The FBI collected documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Ministry of Justice
In an August press conference with Insider and other media, White referred to the FBI’s raid on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property as “insanity.”
The following month, Insider reported, citing a Department of Justice court filing, that federal officials discovered more than 100 sensitive documents, three of which were stashed in Trump’s desks rather than in boxes.
In reference to the FBI search, White stated, “the entire world is currently insane.”
White stated that he had not yet spoken with Trump about the event, but added that he will “probably call him within the next few days.” It is unknown whether he has communicated with him subsequently.
White stated: “I did not wish to contact him… He has better things to do than receive a phone call from me asking, “Hey, what’s going on over there?” However, I will contact him within the next few days.”
UFC president Dana White.
White’s remarks came after notable MMA fighters Jorge Masvidal and Jake Shields condemned the FBI raid and echoed right-wing talking points to protect Trump.
Trump has historically garnered the backing of numerous boxers and their followers.
In 2019, the UFC president contributed $1 million to the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.