Crowd Welcomes Trump at NYC Fight Event

Among those accompanying President-elect Donald Trump at the UFC event was Dana White, the UFC’s CEO and a close longtime friend of Trump. Their friendship has grown so strong that White had a prominent role in Trump’s campaign. On election night, after Trump delivered his victory speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, he invited Dana White on stage, where White used the opportunity to express his gratitude, particularly toward a group of influential “bro-culture” podcasters, including the widely popular Joe Rogan.

Throughout his campaign, Trump made a concerted effort to connect with young male voters, a demographic that is also a key target audience for the UFC. This shared audience created a natural synergy between Trump’s political strategy and the UFC’s brand.

The UFC’s presence in Trump’s campaign was not limited to White and Rogan; some members of the UFC circle had direct ties to Trump’s political operations. Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign spokesperson and his designated pick for White House communications director, previously worked in the UFC’s communications department. This relationship highlights the deep ties between Trump’s political team and the UFC, with the sport playing a significant role in Trump’s outreach to his supporters, particularly those in the younger male demographic.

Following the intense and demanding final weeks of his campaign, which marked one of his busiest periods in years, President-elect Donald Trump has significantly reduced his public appearances. Since Election Day on November 5, he has largely remained at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida. This retreat has allowed him to step back from the public eye after the high-stakes, whirlwind campaign, focusing instead on personal time and preparations for the transition into his new role.

Since Election Day, Donald Trump has spent much of his time at Mar-a-Lago, his luxurious private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida. During this period, he has been greeted by a constant stream of supporters, many of whom are hoping to secure positions in his upcoming administration. He has also attended several high-profile galas in Florida, hosted by right-wing political groups that are eager to influence and help shape the agenda for his presidency. Despite his relatively quiet presence, he ventured to Washington in the past week for a few significant meetings. He met with President Biden in the Oval Office and participated in a closed-door session with House Republicans. Throughout these interactions, however, he has avoided taking questions from the media.

At the UFC event on Saturday, Trump’s presence was noted by the diverse crowd in attendance, which represented a broad spectrum of age and race from across the country. While some fans were enthusiastic about seeing Trump, not everyone seemed to have particularly strong opinions about him. For example, Joe Levore, a 44-year-old from Whippany, New Jersey, who supports Trump but did not vote in the election, admitted that he was more excited to see Jon Jones, the night’s headline fighter, than to see the president-elect himself.

Similarly, Darryl Jackson, a 63-year-old from Louisiana, shared that although his family had pressured him to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, he was a strong Trump supporter. However, like Levore, Trump’s presence was not the main attraction for Jackson that evening. He, too, was eager to watch Jon Jones fight live, suggesting that for some in the crowd, the excitement of the UFC event overshadowed the political significance of Trump’s appearance.

Jon Jones, the reigning heavyweight champion, secured a victory in his fight with Stipe Miocic in the third round, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that left Miocic lying unconscious on the mat. Following his dominant performance, Jones took a moment to celebrate in a unique way. He mimicked one of President Donald Trump’s signature moves, which had recently become popular among athletes. Jones twisted his hips to the rhythm, waving his clenched fists in a dance reminiscent of the president’s well-known gesture.

After the celebration, Jones approached the president-elect and handed him his championship belt, expressing his gratitude to Trump. He also took the opportunity to address rumors about his retirement, announcing that he would not be stepping away from the sport, despite speculation leading up to the fight. To further energize the crowd, Jones led them in a chant of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” before returning to the center of the ring, where he performed the Trump-inspired dance once more, fueling the patriotic atmosphere in the arena.