Dana White was the introductory speaker for former President Trump, who asked the UFC president two weeks ago if he’d do him the honors. The UFC boss revealed a piece of the thank you text that President Trump sent him after he accepted the offer.
“Two weeks ago I got a call from President Trump,” White said, “Asking if I’d be willing to speak tonight. As usual – there was no pressure, no demands, he asked me as a friend – and of course I said yes. Then, after I accepted his offer, he sent me a text message. And I just want to read to you a little piece of what President Trump wrote to me. ‘Dana, I’m so honored that you’ll be doing the introduction and the National Republican Convention. Think of it as the biggest fight you’ve ever had. A fight for our country, or even the world. 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 went on to defend Trump against the mainstream media for their accusations against his reputation, using his 25-year friendship with the billionaire as evidence that he can truly vouch for Trump’s character. He then doubled down that the best man to lead the “fight for our country” is none other than President Trump.
“The mainstream media likes to push the narrative that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I absolutely know that’s not true because I’ve been friends with the man for 25 years,” White said. “And for the people who know me, they’ll know this is true, I just want to make something very clear. Nobody in the Trump campaign has ever told me what to say – nobody tells me what to say – and I’m nobody’s puppet. And I’m not telling you what to think, I’m telling you what I know, and I know President Trump. I know President Trump is a fighter. I’ve been saying this since 2015. Now look at what has happened over the past 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. The higher the stakes, the harder he fights, and this guy never ever gives up. So what’s at stake here? The answer is in President Trump’s text. And I quote ‘A fight for our country.’”
President Trump was the victim of a failed assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania this past weekend. The shooter fired eight rounds from the roof of a nearby building that hit President Trump in the ear, killing an audience member, and wounding two others in process. White and various others within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community have since offered up their own reactions to the incident. Today during his introductory speech, White suggested that Trump is “literally putting his life on the line” for the country.
“I know President Trump is literally putting his life on the line for something bigger than himself,” White said. And he’s willing to risk it all because he loves this country. And I know he wants what’s best for the American people. All American people. I know he’s running for president to save our American dream. I’m living the American dream, and I know the American dream is very real. Whether you were born in this country or you came from someplace else – this is the last real land of opportunity. President Reagen once said ‘Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.’ And if you’re buried in government red tape, how will you ever start your own business? And if you’re struggling to pay your bills, how will you ever afford to start a family? And if you don’t feel safe in your own town, 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. We are choosing who we want to lead us in this fight. 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.”
“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. And I’m not telling you what choice to make, and I’m not telling you what I think. I’m telling you what I know. I know America needs a strong leader, and the world needs a strong America. I know Donald J. Trump is the best choice for president of the United States.”
Trump, who later took the stage to accept the Republican nomination for the upcoming United States Presidential Election, praised White for his speech; revealing the UFC boss nearly turned down the offer before being convinced otherwise by his wife.
“And how good was Dana?” Trump asked. “He was on probably the only vacation he’s had in about – maybe ever. In about 10 years – with his wife – I won’t tell you where, very far away. Very very far away, beautiful place. And my people called and he said ‘I won’t be able to do it. Its been many many years and I’ve promised my wife – I can’t do it.’ And they came and they said Dana won’t be able to do it. Because he was my first, second, and third choice. And I said, well, you know, that’s too bad but I understand. He’s away and that’s good, that’s good for him.”
“About 30 minutes later she comes back and says ‘Sir, Dana just called. He’s going to do it.’ And his wife, she said ‘You can’t turn him down, you have to go.’ That’s a good wife. So he got on a plane, he got here a little while ago, now he’s going to go on a plane in a little while and he’s going to go back to his wife. I just want to thank her and him and his whole family because it’s not easy.”
