Former US President Donald Trump is no stranger to fight fans.
Earlier this month, in fact, Trump received a standing ovation at UFC 302 while entering alongside his longtime friend and supporter, UFC CEO Dana White. Trump and UFC have a relationship that goes back prior to politics, as Trump’s Atlantic City casinos hosted several UFC events back in the “dark ages” of the sport. More recently, White spoke for Trump at the Republican National Convention.
In short, it’s a deep and ongoing relationship. However, while speaking at Faith and Freedom Coalition press conference earlier today, Trump revealed one time that he and White didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye. According to the former president, he proposed a fighting league between would-be immigrants that could contend with actual UFC veterans.
“They’re so tough,” Trump began. “Did anyone ever hear of Dana White? He’s a legend, right, UFC, he’s a fantastic man. I said, ‘Dana, why don’t you set up a migrant league of fighters? And have your regular league of fighters, and then you have the champion of your league — these are the greatest fighters in the world — fight the champion of the migrants.’ I think the migrant guy might win, that’s how tough they are! He didn’t like that idea too much, but actually, it’s not the worst idea I’ve had.”
Trump’s proposed solution for migration issues at the border was brought up again to White at the UFC Saudi Arabia press conference. According to White, Trump’s proposal was brought up “as a joke” (h/t Aaron Bronsteter). I’m inclined to believe White, but then again, he has turned tried to turn jokes into actual sports competition in the past.