UFC CEO Dana White has recently attempted to tone down his political reputation, saying during an appearance on the Him & Her Show podcast that he’s “not really even that political” and that it’s a “misconception” that he leans far right. But his long public history tells a very different story.
“Everybody thinks I’m, like, far right,” White said in the interview clip. “I literally, up until the world lost its mind, considered myself to be liberal. I leaned, you know, a little left… I’m not really even that political, to be honest with you.”
White’s remarks quickly set off reactions across social media, with many pointing out his consistent and vocal support for Donald Trump and the Republican Party over the years.
This guy's spoken at the last three Republican National Conventions….https://t.co/2O9ScYnRpH
— Nick Field (@nick_field90) November 11, 2025
White’s political connections stretch far back—well before the pandemic or any supposed “cultural meltdown.” At the 2016 Republican National Convention, White took the stage to give a passionate endorsement of then-candidate Donald Trump.
“So tonight, I stand with Donald Trump,” he declared during his speech.
“Let me tell you three things that I respect about this man. First, Donald has great business instincts. He supports businesses of all sizes. He’ll make it possible for them to grow and succeed, which is the backbone of a strong economy.”
He returned to the RNC stage again in 2020, once more throwing his support behind Trump. And by 2024, White was again present at another Trump-aligned event. On election night, Trump personally invited him to the microphone, where White publicly thanked a group of Trump-friendly media personalities.
“I want to thank the Nelk Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von, Bussin’ with the Boys, and last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan,” he said.
He also endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention in 2016: https://t.co/MgRiqLMpuy pic.twitter.com/sjMPsBd8t4
— Pablo Torre 👀 (@PabloTorre) November 11, 2025
According to The Guardian, White has evolved into more than a sports executive—he’s become a key figure linking Trump’s movement with the manosphere, a network of podcasters, streamers, and online influencers known for libertarian and far-right views.
White has reportedly helped arrange Trump’s appearances across these platforms, including multiple interviews with the Nelk Boys, Theo Von, and Adin Ross.
While often dismissed by mainstream outlets, these content creators wield massive influence among young men, and Trump himself has credited White as the crucial connector between his campaign and this growing online base.
The UFC boss has, in turn, become a cultural influencer in his own right — one who’s been instrumental in helping Trump reach what some political strategists have called “the testosterone vote.”
In 2026, the UFC is even expected to host a fight at the White House, a move that underscores how tightly the organization has become woven into the nation’s political scene.
Today, UFC generates over $1 billion a year, and White’s newer venture, Power Slap, relies on short-form, viral content — the same kind of fast, emotionally charged media that has become a hallmark of right-wing online strategy.
He’s also heavily involved in crypto and sports betting promotions, with crypto.com serving as the UFC’s biggest sponsor. When White handed Barstool Sports reporter Robbie Fox $20,000 after a blackjack win in Las Vegas in 2024, many saw it as symbolic of his larger-than-life persona — bold, loyal to media allies, and always on display.
Here is a (partial!) list of the political donations Dana White has made, in chronological order, according to the @OpenSecretsDC database, since July 2011: https://t.co/G7Q5R5n41F pic.twitter.com/Qej8lEOBpm
— Pablo Torre 👀 (@PabloTorre) November 11, 2025
As far back as 2016, Fortune magazine identified White as a key figure in sports promotion and a valuable ally for Trump’s presidential ambitions.
“He’s used the endorsements of people like White and former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson to bolster his credentials as the ‘law and order’ candidate,” Fortune reported at the time.
While other celebrities at the 2016 RNC were seen as fading stars, Fortune described White as “charismatic” and an emerging power player in sports and media.
Now, despite White’s recent insistence that he isn’t political — or that he somehow changed after 2020 — his record paints another picture.
From 2016 through 2024, he’s been front and center at Republican events, promoted Trump repeatedly, and helped bridge the gap between GOP politics and a vast digital influencer network.
Whether he still identifies as liberal is ultimately irrelevant. His influence, alliances, and media presence over the last decade make one thing clear: when it comes to politics, Dana White has long been one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes players — a man who doesn’t need to hold office to shape the conversation.
