Dana White’s Support of Andrew Tate Challenges Trump’s Base

Dana White’s Controversial Welcome to the Tate Brothers Sparks Outrage in Conservative Circles

Dana White, the prominent chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is no stranger to controversy, given his role as a fight promoter. The adage "all publicity is good publicity" often resonates within his domain. However, White’s recent interactions with notorious internet personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate may have pushed this sentiment to its extreme.

Last Friday, at his Power Slap event in Las Vegas, White shared a friendly greeting with the Tate brothers, who recently regained the ability to travel after being barred from leaving Romania amidst serious criminal charges, including allegations of human trafficking. After the lifting of their travel ban late last month, the brothers were in attendance, and a video from the event revealed White welcoming them with the words, "Welcome to the States, boys."

The next day, the Tates were spotted at UFC 313, another one of White’s events, further solidifying their presence in the mixed martial arts community. Over the years, White has adeptly navigated the world of combat sports, building a multibillion-dollar empire that has become a haven for individuals known for promoting outrageous and often offensive viewpoints. He has been influential in shaping a new, masculinist mainstream in American culture, where celebrities, major brands, and right-wing influencers converge.

However, the welcoming of the Tate brothers—figures often associated with extreme misogyny and currently embroiled in legal troubles—has ignited backlash, even from some of White’s usual supporters within the conservative media landscape. The Tate brothers, who have a history of controversial statements regarding women, have been criticized for their positions within the so-called "manosphere," a sphere often characterized by toxic masculinity.

Among those expressing their displeasure was John Cardillo, a conservative commentator, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his disapproval. “I’m done with @ufc," he stated. "If @danawhite can’t draw a line and disassociate from trash who bragged on video about grooming and raping teen girls, it tells me all I need to know.” This sentiment was echoed by The Misfit Patriot, another conservative figure, who highlighted the Tates’ troubling statements in a critical video directed at White.

Despite the mounting criticism, representatives for the Tates and White did not immediately respond to requests for clarification regarding their interactions. The Tates maintain their innocence amid ongoing legal proceedings. In a recent development, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office had initiated a preliminary inquiry into the brothers, who hold dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. Uthmeier emphasized that Florida has a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking and violence against women, vowing to hold accountable any individuals who might fall under the jurisdiction due to their alleged crimes.

However, the Tates appear undeterred by the legal challenges they face. Since their arrival in the U.S., they have sought to maintain a high profile by appearing on various podcasts, including the Full Send podcast hosted by Kyle Forgeard of the Nelk Boys, a close associate of Dana White. They have also made guest appearances on numerous Trump-supporting podcasts, further embedding themselves within the conservative media landscape.

These recent appearances have revealed divisions among conservatives. High-profile commentators like Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro have voiced their opposition to the Tates, pointing out the detrimental implications of their worldview. "The way conservatives and conservative organizations respond to Andrew Tate arriving on US soil will tell you everything you need to know about them," Jeremy Boreing, CEO of the Daily Wire, posted on X last month. He cautioned that any organization embracing or associating with Tate would essentially betray traditional conservative values.

Moreover, Dana White’s association with the Tates comes at a complicated time for him personally. Following an incident in 2023 where he was filmed slapping his wife during a vacation in Mexico—a moment for which he publicly stated “there are no excuses for it”—White has faced his own share of controversies. The culture that figures like him oversee often oscillates between brash masculinity and moments of public regret, leading to clashes with more traditional conservative factions.

By greeting Andrew Tate, whose controversial War Room platform promotes ideas about grooming women for sex work, White may have inadvertently revealed fractures within parts of the Trump coalition. The decision to associate with such divisive figures poses a risk not only for White’s image but also for the broader conservative movement, echoing concerns about the implications of welcoming those who perpetuate toxic ideologies.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this controversial welcome will affect Dana White’s business and reputation within the rapidly evolving landscape of American conservatism, where the distinction between mainstream and fringe increasingly blurs.