UFC boss Dana White denounces politics as ‘gross’, says he’ll ‘never again’ get involved

UFC boss Dana White, fresh from helping Donald Trump win the US election, has unleashed an extraordinary spray about politics.

UFC boss Dana White has seemingly sworn off politics, calling it “gross” and “disgusting”, despite having played an active role in Donald Trump’s election to the American presidency earlier this month.

Mr White, who became president of the mixed martial arts company in 2001 and then oversaw an astonishing boom in its popularity, has supported Mr Trump throughout his political career.

He delivered primetime speeches at the Republican National Convention in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and this year was a frequent presence at Mr Trump’s rallies as well.

Indeed he was included in an on-stage group of Mr Trump’s closest supporters as the victorious candidate spoke on election night.

UFC boss Dana White, flanked by Donald Trump and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, at the President-elect’s victory event on election night. Picture: Jim Watson/AFP

You could mount an argument that Mr White’s cultural influence, along with that of figures such as Joe Rogan, Elon Musk and a handful of pro-Trump podcasters, played a pivotal role in helping the President-elect appeal to young men.

The exit poll data we have from the election suggests that demographic, in particular, turned up and voted for Mr Trump in unusually strong numbers, which helped offset his unpopularity among women.

As things stand, with most of the results finalised, Mr Trump has about 76.9 million votes (49.9 per cent), compared to the 74.4 million (48.3 per cent) of his opponent, Kamala Harris. It’s the first time Mr Trump has won the popular vote in his political career (he won the electoral vote count against Hillary Clinton in 2016, but received about three million fewer votes than her). His margin among men, which was larger than Ms Harris’s margin among women, appears to have been one of the decisive factors.

Dana White speaking at Mr Trump’s first Republican convention as the party’s nominee, in 2016. Picture: Jim Watson/AFP

And at this year’s Republican convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP

Mr White’s contribution may well have mattered, then.

But after nearly a decade spent dipping in and out of the political arena, he now appears to be thoroughly disillusioned and keen, perhaps, to stick to the octagon.

“I’m never f***ing doing this again,” he has told The New Yorker.

“I want nothing to do with this s***. It’s gross. It’s disgusting.

“I want nothing to do with politics.”

That’s less to do with Mr Trump, specifically, than with politics more broadly. Mr White was implying he’d be less willing to help other Republican candidates.

But he remains full of praise for the President-elect.

“Donald Trump is tougher and more badass than anybody,” he told the magazine.

“You can only pray that you’re a quarter of the man that Donald Trump was when a guy tried to take seven shots at his head with a high powered rifle with a f***ing scope on it.”

Mr White, Mr Trump, singer Kid Rock and billionaire Elon Musk at a UFC event last week. Picture: Kena Betancur/AFP

Mr Trump and his entourage watching the UFC in New York. Picture: Kena Betancur/AFP

‘Nobody deserves this more than him’

On election night, as Mr Trump hosted his supporters at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, Mr White also addressed the audience.

“Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does,” the UFC boss said.

“This is what happens when the machine comes after you. What you’ve seen over the last several years, this is what it looks like. Couldn’t stop him, he keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit, he’s the most resilient, hardworking man I’ve ever met in my life, his family are incredible people.

“This is karma, ladies and gentlemen. He deserves this. They deserve it as a family.”

Mr White went on to thank Mr Rogan and a list of podcasters – some would call them “bro-casters” – who had interviewed Mr Trump during the campaign and spread his message.

That list included Adin Ross, Theo Vonn, Will Compton, Taylor Lewan, and the Nelk Boys, all of whom have immense reach.

None of them, however, rival Mr Rogan, whose three-hour interview with Mr Trump during the campaign’s final fortnight was viewed by millions of people. The podcaster subsequently endorsed Mr Trump during his next interview, with Mr Musk.

Mr White and Mr Trump on stage at the election-night event. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP

During his speech at the Republican convention in July, Mr White described Mr Trump as a friend and someone who “truly cares about people”.

“The mainstream media likes to push the narrative that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I absolutely know that’s not the truth because I’ve been friends with this guy for 25 years. And for the people who know me, they’ll know this is true,” he said.

“I just want to make something very clear. Nobody in the Trump campaign has ever told me what to say. Nobody tells me what to say, and I’m nobody’s puppet. And I’m not telling you what to think. I’m telling you what I know.

“And I know President Trump. I know President Trump is a fighter. I’ve been saying this since 2015. Now look at what’s happened over the last 10 years. We have all seen it with our own eyes. I’m in the tough guy business, and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being that I’ve ever met in my life.

“In my mind, the choice is clear. But this election, we all get to choose. I know I’m going to choose strength and security. I know I’m going to choose opportunity and prosperity.

“I know I’m going to choose real American leadership and a real American badass.”

Originally published as UFC boss Dana White denounces politics as ‘gross’, says he’ll ‘never again’ get involved