Despite his status as a political pariah four years ago, former President Donald Trump pulled off a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris as he was elected to another term Wednesday.
Trump’s win is being hailed as one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of American politics. He was considered an outcast in Washington after losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden – which he believed was stolen – before playing a part in thousands of his supporters attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Influential in Trump’s 2024 victory was UFC CEO Dana White, who has been among his biggest public supporters. Through the UFC, White gave Trump a platform to appeal to young, male voters, which played a big part in his re-election.
That was not lost on Trump, who invited White onstage to address his supporters Wednesday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Fla. White took the opportunity to revel in his good friend’s win.
“Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does,” White 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, hard-working 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.”
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: Dana White is invited to speak at Donald Trump’s rally celebrating his 2024 election win. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Before stepping away from the podium, White followed up those words by thanking a list of influencers/podcasters who welcomed Trump as a guest on their shows during the campaign – the Nelk Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Vonn, “Bussin’ with the Boys” (hosted by Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, and finally “the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan.”
Trump spent 3 hours on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the most popular podcast in the world hosted by the UFC commentator, on Oct. 25, less than two weeks before the election.