UFC CEO Dana White and lead commentator Joe Rogan were guests of honor to President-elect Donald Trump's pre-inauguration festivities on Sunday.
A day before Monday's closed-door ceremony in Washington DC, the country's former and future Commander in Chief appears on White's Instagram page alongside Rogan and the MMA promoter.
The three are seen wearing tuxedos at the black-tie event, which is a slight departure from earlier in the day, when White spoke at Trump's 'Make America Great Again Victory Rally' at the Capital One Arena.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon,” the longtime Trump friend and supporter began. 'I am honored to be here to celebrate President Trump's historic victory. He not only won these elections. He won it in dominant fashion with a record number of Americans from all walks of life.
White focused the first part of his speech on Trump's 312-226 electoral college victory over Kamala Harris and his 1.5 percent lead in the popular vote.
“Not only did he win the electoral college by 86 points, but President Trump was the first Republican candidate in 20 years to win the popular vote,” White continued. 'He also made huge gains among traditional Democratic voters by increasing his support among Latino, Asian American, Black and young voters.
A day before Monday's closed-door ceremony in Washington DC, the country's former and future Commander in Chief appears photographed alongside Rogan and White.
'So what does that tell us?' White asked, rhetorically. 'Democracy is alive and well in this country. And the people have spoken loud and clear: America wants President Trump back in the White House.”
White also described Trump as a hero for overcoming the media, the legal system and even an assassin's bullet during his campaign.
“Think about this: Winning this election after everything that's happened in the last few years is an amazing accomplishment and an incredible comeback story,” White said. 'Think of all the things President Trump had to go through to get back here, all the powerful forces that tried to bring him down: the mainstream media, partisan prosecutors, assassins.
“It is absolutely crazy what this man has gone through. And only President Trump could have overcome all those obstacles, all the attacks and still come out the winner.
'But you know what?' White continued. 'That's exactly what he is. This guy is a winner.
'I say this all the time: he is the toughest, most resilient person I have ever met. And nothing was going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves. He embodies what it means to be an American. We are the toughest and most resilient people in the world. And nothing can stop us when we come together.”
White ended the speech by encouraging Trump's critics to support the incoming president.
“The destiny of this country is tied to the destiny of the president, so if you love America, you should want the president of the United States to succeed,” he said. “If it strengthens our economy, resolves conflicts around the world and makes our streets safe again, we will all win.”
President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk pose for a photo during UFC 309
Joe Rogan jumps out of his seat at the great Donald Trump upon arrival at UFC 309 at MSG
Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan and President-elect Donald Trump speak at UFC 309 at MSG
WHITE'S SPEECH AT TRUMP'S MAGA VICTORY RALLY IN DC
Dana White speaking to the crowd at Capital One Arena:
Think about this: winning this election after everything that has happened in the last few years is an amazing achievement and an incredible comeback story. Think of all the things President Trump had to go through to get back here, all the powerful forces that tried to bring him down: the mainstream media, partisan prosecutors, assassins. It is absolutely crazy what this man has gone through. And only President Trump could have overcome all those obstacles, all the attacks and still come out the winner.
But you know what? That's exactly what he is. This guy is a winner.
I say it all the time: he is the toughest, most resilient person I have ever met. And nothing was going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves.
He embodies what it means to be an American. We are the toughest and most resilient people in the world. And nothing can stop us when we come together.
White spoke at Trump's 'Make America Great Again' victory rally at Capital One Arena
To all those Americans who didn't vote for President Trump, and all you know about him is what you hear in the mainstream media, I just want to let you know that he has been an incredibly loyal friend to me for two decades. And not once has he asked me for anything in return.
He has proven time and time again how tough he is. But he is also a man who truly cares about people.
Everything that has happened to me in my career, he has been the first to approach me and congratulate me. And most importantly, during difficult times, he has been the first to reach out and let me know if there is anything I need, and all this at a time when he had a long list of his own problems he was dealing with. .
He is the best human being I have ever met. So, America, it's time for us all to put aside our differences. And we can't do that if we continue to focus on all the issues that divide us instead of all the issues that unite us.
The fate of this country is tied to the fate of the president, so if you love America, you should want the president of the United States to succeed. If it strengthens our economy, resolves conflicts around the world and makes our streets safe again, we will all win.
When the president of the United States is respected around the world, we all win. When America succeeds, we all win.
Now is the time for us to unite as one nation, the United States. This moment will be a turning point in our history and a triumph for all Americans.
Tomorrow, when Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, the great comeback story will begin and our country will begin to win again.
Thank you, America.
White and Trump's mutual affection is no secret. Trump has tapped the president and CEO of the UFC to speak for him at the last three Republican National Conventions, leading many to question whether he will play a larger role in the White House at some point.
“His base is Trump's base,” Kellyanne Conway, Trump's former White House adviser, previously told the New York Times of White. “And Trump's base is his base.”
White, however, has downplayed any potential Trump appointment.
“Donald Trump is one of my very good friends,” White told Sports Business Journal through a spokesperson. 'He did a great job in his last term as president and I know he will do even better in the next four years. I have no personal political aspirations.
Additionally, White can provide greater service to Trump through what The New York Times calls “cage politics.” Trump now makes regular appearances in the cage at UFC events, where fight fans — and the fighters themselves — have showered the former president with adulation.