2024 US election results: Why MMA founder Dana White got emotional during Trump's victory speech

As former President Donald Trump edges ever closer to a second term as president, UFC President Dana White has made it clear: “Nobody deserves this more than him.” White, a key Trump ally, has long spoken of the resilience and strength , which the former president has shown in the face of relentless scrutiny.
In an impassioned statement, White praised Trump's indomitable spirit and added: “That's what happens when the machine comes after you.” Couldn't stop him. He keeps going. He doesn't give up. He is the most resilient and hardworking man I have ever met in my life.” For White, that support goes beyond politics; It's about loyalty, resilience and recognizing the man who supported him when few others would.
In a 2018 interview, White said of their bond: “No one took us seriously back then, except Donald Trump. “I'll 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 WWE world is well-documented and dates back over three decades. It's no surprise that Trump is courting WWE superstars in the midst of his campaign events, 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. What many don't realize, however, is how much Trump's rise as a businessman and later as a politician mirrors the growth of the WWE itself.
Both Trump and WWE's Vince McMahon have built powerful parallel empires and shaped the culture of their respective industries. Trump was a lifelong wrestling fan, and as the WWE rose 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 faced intense criticism from critics, but 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. The match pitted Trump representative Bobby Lashley against McMahon's fighter Umaga, with the loser having his head shaved. Trump's larger-than-life personality and involvement in the event made headlines and further cemented his connection to the WWE world.
WWE legends continue to support Trump
Beyond his own activism, Trump has won the unwavering support of several WWE icons, many of whom have given their full support to his presidential bid. One of the most vocal supporters is WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. Hogan, known for his “Hulkamania” persona, wore a red “Trump 2024” tank top to the Republican National Convention and proclaimed, “Let the TrumpaMania run wild, bro.” Recently, Hogan reiterated his support and appeared on Fox News to predict a landslide victory for the former president in the upcoming elections.
Other WWE legends have also expressed their support, including the legendary Undertaker (Mark Calaway), who invited Trump on his podcast and praised his approach to politics. “You made politics fun again,” Calaway said, reflecting the broad appeal Trump continues to have with the WWE fan base. Even The Undertaker's use of the spooky entrance theme at one of Trump's rallies further cemented their mutual bond, as The Undertaker's on-screen brother, Kane (Glenn Jacobs), also publicly supported Trump.