From Atlantic City to the White House: Trump and White's 25-year friendship

A friendship that began as the Ultimate Fighting Championship struggled to secure venues reached the White House grounds on June 14, 2026. On Donald Trump's 80th birthday, UFC Freedom 250 became an unprecedented live professional sporting event at the presidential residence, marking a milestone in his 25-year relationship with Dana White.

The connection took shape in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where Trump's Taj Mahal hosted UFC 28 on Nov. 17, 2000. With the UFC banned in 36 states, New Jersey regulators permitted the event as the promotion's first sanctioned card. White attended as fighter John Lewis' manager, accompanied by casino owners Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta III, who were considering owning an MMA promotion.

The Fertittas' company, Zuffa LLC, bought the UFC for $2 million on Jan. 11, 2001, and installed White as president. Facing difficulty finding venues, the company arranged to hold UFC 30 and UFC 31 at the Taj Mahal. White has repeatedly credited Trump's support with helping establish the promotion's legitimacy. Trump's casino operation, however, was experiencing serious financial difficulties, including a reported $133.8 million net loss for the 1999 fiscal year.

Their business interests later diverged. In June 2008, Trump announced a partnership with Affliction Entertainment, a new MMA promotion featuring heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Trump raised concerns about fighter pay when only one organization dominates the sport, while also expressing respect for White. Affliction staged its debut the following month, but folded in July 2009 after canceling its planned third event. It subsequently returned to sponsoring UFC clothing.

The relationship continued as the UFC expanded. After the promotion announced a seven-year, $700 million broadcasting agreement with Fox in 2011, White said Trump sent him a newspaper article about the deal with a congratulatory note. By December 2015, White was publicly supporting Trump's presidential bid. He spoke at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, presenting his experience in the fight business as a reason for backing the candidate.

Their association carried into Trump's presidency. In August 2018, White accompanied UFC fighter Colby Covington to the White House following Covington's interim welterweight championship victory. On Nov. 2, 2019, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a UFC event, joining White at Madison Square Garden. The crowd greeted him with both cheers and boos, a response White accepted as spectators exercising their freedom to express themselves.

Before the June 2026 White House event, White told ESPN that Trump belonged to his small circle of close friends and that their relationship had strengthened over the years. The connection continued into the fall, when Trump invited White to join his administration as press secretary.