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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff

Dana White rallies for Donald Trump re-election at RNC: ‘I’m going to choose real American leadership’

UFC CEO Dana White has once again put his full political support behind former U.S. president Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election in November.

For the third time, White spoke at the Republican National Convention in support of his friend, but on this occasion, he had the privilege of being the last speaker before Trump took the stage to accept the Republican presidential nomination.

During his five-minute speech, the assertive fight promoter touted the loyal friendship he has shared with Trump for over two decades while sharing a story about how the former president invited him to be a speaker again.

“I only wish you didn’t have to interrupt your family trip, but I hope they understand. They love you, and they know how important this is,” White said, reading from a text message Trump sent him after he accepted the invitation. “Now think about this: This man’s running for president of the United States, he’s fighting for the future of this country, and he’s concerned about interrupting my family trip. That’s the president Trump that I know, a man who truly cares about people.

“The mainstream media likes the 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.”

White became more energized to speak in support of Trump following a failed assassination attempt last week, when the former president was struck in the right ear as bullets were fired during a rally in Butler, Penn. Trump was treated and has been sporting a square bandage over his right ear throughout the RNC.

“I know president Trump is a fighter, I’ve been saying this since 2015,” White said. “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.”

White pumped up Trump, who has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records and has many more legal issues pending, as the best choice for the next president of the U.S.

The UFC boss quoted the 40th U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, while vaguely touching on political issues.

“President Reagan once said, ‘Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives,'” White said. “And if you’re buried in government red tape, how will you ever start your own business? If you’re struggling to pay your bills, how can you ever afford to start a family? And if you don’t feel safe in your hometown, why would you ever buy a house? I know president Trump is fighting to save the American dream, and that’s what’s at stake in this election.”

White closed out his speech with one final emphatic push for Trump, while making it clear he was not trying to convince people who to vote for, but rather simply stating his reasons for backing his friend and WWE Hall of Famer.

“I know president Trump is a proven leader, a fearless leader, and this country was in a much better place when he was in the Oval Office,” White said. “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.”

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