As Donald Trump took to the stage to rejoice his presidential election win early in Palm Seaside, anticipated faces joined him on stage: his spouse Melania, kids Ivanka, Donald Jr and Barron, and vice presidential working mate Mr JD Vance.
Nonetheless, one other shocking determine additionally appeared on stage, even being personally invited by Mr Trump to provide a speech of his personal: Dana White.
“No person deserves this greater than him and no person deserves this greater than his household does,” Mr White informed the group of Mr Trump. “That is what occurs when the machine comes after you, what you’ve seen during the last a number of years, that is what it seems like.”
“Couldn’t cease him, he retains going ahead, he doesn’t give up, he’s essentially the most resilient, hardworking man I’ve ever met in my life, his household are unbelievable folks. That is karma, women and gents, he deserves this, they deserve this as a household.”
Whereas some known as Mr White’s speech inappropriate, others questioned his look on the stage altogether. However who’s the 55-year-old, and the way is he concerned in Mr Trump’s marketing campaign?
The American businessman is the present CEO and president of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC), a world martial arts organisation that’s regarded as price $12bn (£9.3bn). His personal web price is believed to be round $500m (£389m).
What’s Dana White’s connection to Donald Trump?
The UFC President has supported all of Trump’s presidential campaigns, pictured right here delivering a speech on the 2016 Republican Nationwide Conference
Jeff Swensen / Getty Pictures
Mr White’s relationship with Mr Trump goes method again to the 2000s. UFC occasions have usually been described as brutal, having been banned on tv up to now and at one level even being threatened with termination altogether.
Blended martial arts (MMA) was legalised in New Jersey in 2000, nevertheless, Mr White mentioned in a 2022 interview that, due to its popularity, venues didn’t wish to host fights. “Trump actually known as us. He mentioned, ‘Come to my place, do the occasion right here. We’ll have you ever on the Trump Taj Mahal’.”
In keeping with Mr White, Mr Trump would usually present as much as watch fights and help the game, which boosted the corporate’s profile and helped it to safe future venues. “No person took us significantly then, besides Donald Trump,” Mr White mentioned in 2018. “I’d by no means say something damaging about Donald Trump as a result of he was there when different folks weren’t.”
Mr White has caught by his phrase, publicly backing Mr Trump’s presidential runs and showing at quite a few marketing campaign occasions in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Why are folks calling for Dana White to be given a task in authorities?
Mr White’s rambunctious supply and dedication to Mr Trump has led to calls from some supporters on-line for the businessman to be part of the president-elect’s upcoming presidential staff, specifically his press staff.
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