Donald Trump is New York-bound as the President-elect is gearing up for UFC 309 and a reunion with one of his most vocal supporters, MMA promoter Dana White.
In a video posted on X by Trump’s Deputy Communications Director Margo Martin, the 78-year-old’s unmistakable silhouette is seen walking up the stair car and into his private plane as the sun sets in the background.
‘President @realDonaldTrump departs to New York for UFC 309!!’ Martin wrote on X before heavyweight Jon Jones’ highly anticipated matchup with Stipe Miocic in New York on Friday.
Later Martin posted a picture from inside the plane, revealing that Heath and Human Services nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. was also en route to UFC 309.
Saturday’s event will be held at Madison Square Garden, which hosted a blockbuster Trump rally two weeks earlier that may have helped catapult him back into the White House. As was the case at the Republican National Convention, White spoke in support of his friend, Trump, to the MSG crowd last month.
Trump later celebrated that victory with White at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Now, it appears Trump is to return to the favor by showing up in support of the CEO and president of UFC.
In a video posted on X by Trump’s Deputy Communications Director Margo Martin, the 78-year-old’s unmistakable silhouette is seen walking up the stair car and into his private plane
Later Martin posted a picture from inside the plane, revealing that Heath and Human Services nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. was also en route to UFC 309
Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27
Trump has enjoyed a close relationship with UFC over the years, regularly attending events and even previously bragging about saving the company.
During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in the buildup to the election, Trump was quick to explain the part he played in making the UFC the multi-billion-dollar success it has become under the stewardship of White, who Trump labeled ‘the greatest guy’.
Trump tapped the UFC President and CEO to speak for him at the last three Republican National Conventions before inviting him to the onstage victory party.
White was invited to say a few words at the podium on the stage, and after some glowing praise for Trump, launched into what seemed to be a victory speech of his own.
‘Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does,’ White began, in perhaps expected fashion.
Dana White, US businessman and President of UFC, speaks during a rally held for former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, at Madison Square Garden
This is what happens when the machine comes after you. What you’ve seen over the last several years, this is what it looks like.
‘He keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit. He’s the most resilient, hard-working man I’ve ever met in your life. His family are incredible people. This is karma, ladies and gentlemen. He deserves this, they deserve it as a family.’
But he soon began to list names, similar to what you might expect from an Oscars acceptance speech, naming several streamers.
‘I want to thank some people real quickly. I want to thank the Nelk boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von [all streamers]. And the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan. Thank you America, have a good night.’
