As former President Donald Trump inches closer to a second presidential term, UFC President Dana White has made it clear: “No one deserves this more than him.” White, a key Trump ally, has long spoken of the resilience and strength the former president has shown in the face of relentless criticism.
In an impassioned statement, White applauded Trump’s indomitable spirit, adding: “This is what happens when the machine comes after you. Couldn’t stop him. He keeps moving forward. He doesn’t give up. He is the most resilient, hardworking man I have ever met in my life.” For White, this endorsement goes beyond politics; it’s about loyalty, resilience and recognizing the man who supported him when few others would.
White said of their bond in a 2018 interview: “No one took us seriously at the time, except Donald Trump. I will never say anything negative about him; he was there when no one else was.
WWE connection: two empires built in parallel
Trump’s relationship with the world of WWE is well documented and spans three decades. It’s no surprise that Trump, in the midst of his campaign rallies, is courting WWE superstars and using their iconic entrance themes to fire up his supporters. After all, Trump is a WWE Hall of Famer and his ties to the wrestling promotion have played a crucial role in shaping his public persona. But what many don’t realize is how closely Trump’s rise as a businessman and later politician mirrors the growth of WWE itself.
Both Trump and WWE’s Vince McMahon have built powerful empires in parallel, shaping the cultures of their respective industries. Trump was a lifelong fan of wrestling, and as the WWE grew from a regional promotion to a global phenomenon, Trump climbed the ladder of success in business and politics. The two men share a deep bond: They both took over their family businesses and were heavily criticized by critics, but still managed to make their companies household names.
In 2007, Trump took on the role of a WWE character and took part in the now legendary ‘Battle of the Billionaires’ against Vince McMahon. During the match, Trump’s representative, Bobby Lashley, took on McMahon’s fighter, Umaga, with the loser’s head shaved. Trump’s larger-than-life personality and involvement in the event made headlines, further strengthening his ties to the world of WWE.
WWE legends continue to support Trump
In addition to his own involvement, Trump has received the continued support of several WWE icons, many of whom have come out in full support of his presidential bid. One of the most vocal supporters is WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. Known for his “Hulkamania” persona, at the Republican National Convention, Hogan wore a red “Trump 2024” tank top and declared, “Let the TrumpaMania run wild, brother.” Recently, Hogan doubled down on his support, appearing on Fox News to predict a landslide victory for the former president in the upcoming election.
Other WWE legends have also voiced their support, including the iconic Undertaker (Mark Calaway), who invited Trump to his podcast and praised his approach to politics. “You made politics fun again,” Calaway said, reflecting the broad appeal Trump still has among WWE’s fan base. Even the use of the Undertaker’s chilling entrance theme at one of Trump’s rallies further strengthened their bond, with the Undertaker’s on-screen brother Kane (Glenn Jacobs) also publicly supporting Trump.