UFC President Dana White drew sharp criticism for his interaction with President-elect Donald Trump during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024. The event saw Trump speak with White cageside, prompting accusations that the UFC leader was participating in political propaganda.
Critics labeled White's presence alongside Trump as a calculated political move, with some commentators using harsh language to express their disapproval. The encounter occurred during the UFC's return to New York's iconic arena for a numbered pay-per-view event.
White, who has maintained a long-standing friendship with Trump dating back to the UFC's early struggles for sanctioning, has previously appeared at Trump campaign events. The Madison Square Garden meeting reignited debate about the intersection of sports leadership and partisan politics.
