The relationship between the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and former U.S. President Donald Trump has been a topic of much discussion, particularly in light of recent events. However, the story of their early connection is not as straightforward as it has been portrayed. Witnesses who were present during the early days of the UFC under new ownership have come forward with accounts that differ significantly from the popular narrative.
In the early 2000s, the UFC was undergoing significant changes, including a change in ownership and leadership. It was during this time that the story of Trump’s involvement with the organization began to take shape. However, according to witnesses like James Wermethe lead executive and producer of the UFC’s first event under new ownership, the truth is far more nuanced than the tale often told by UFC CEO Dana White.
The Myth of Trump’s Early Involvement
The popular narrative suggests that Trump played a pivotal role in the early success of the UFC, offering the organization a venue when no other would and attending events to show his support. However, Werme and other witnesses paint a different picture. According to Werme, Trump was not present at the UFC’s first event under new ownership at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City in February 2001.
“Donald Trump wasn’t in the building,” Werme stated. “And I know that because I was there.” Werme went on to question the existence of any photographic or video evidence of Trump’s attendance at these events, suggesting that if such evidence existed, it would have been widely circulated.
This account contrasts sharply with the story told by Dana White, who has consistently portrayed Trump as a key figure in the early days of the UFC. White has claimed that Trump attended the entire first event at the Trump Taj Mahal and has credited Trump with helping to legitimize the sport during a time when it faced significant opposition.
The Zuffa Myth and the Trump Narrative
The narrative of Trump’s involvement in the UFC is part of a larger story often referred to as the “Zuffa myth”which suggests that the new ownership under Zuffa, led by the Fertitta brothers and Dana White, rescued the UFC from obscurity and transformed it into a mainstream sport. Critics argue that this narrative is retrospective and serves to establish a debt of gratitude that justifies loyalty and reciprocity.
Werme and other former UFC executives have challenged this narrative, pointing out that the UFC had already established a presence in various venues before the Zuffa acquisition. They argue that the story of Trump’s involvement is similarly exaggerated and serves to aggrandize both Trump and the UFC leadership.
“It’s another way for Trump to aggrandize himself,” said one former UFC executive. “Well, not only did he do this, this, and this, and can heal the sick with his bare hands like Jesus, he also invented the UFC.” This executive argued that the UFC’s success story has been co-opted to serve a political narrative, with Trump being credited for achievements that were not solely his.
The Broader Implications
The dispute over Trump’s early involvement with the UFC speaks to broader issues in the modern era, particularly the way narratives are constructed and disseminated. Werme suggested that White’s account makes for “a better hero story,” even if it is not entirely accurate. This raises questions about the role of storytelling in shaping public perception and the potential consequences of exaggerating or misrepresenting historical events.
Despite the challenges to the popular narrative, the connection between the UFC and Trump remains significant. White has been a vocal supporter of Trump, and the UFC has provided a platform for Trump to connect with his base. However, the truth about their early relationship continues to be a subject of debate, with witnesses like Werme offering a different perspective on the events that unfolded in the early 2000s.
