Dana White reveals the private Donald Trump gamble nobody believed in and unexpected Mark Zuckerberg obsession

Dana White is again making headlines, but this time it is not because of a UFC fight card. In a new interview with TIME Magazine, the UFC president opened up about why he stood by Donald Trump when many people told him not to, why he dislikes what he calls “weakness” in men, and what surprised him most about Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg. The interview, published Tuesday by TIME Magazine, covered White’s long friendship with Trump, his role in Trump’s 2024 presidential comeback, and his own views on masculinity and mental health. White also reflected on the 2022 incident where he slapped his wife during an argument in Mexico and admitted he still questions how it happened.White said people close to him strongly advised him not to support Trump publicly during the 2016 election campaign. At the time, Trump had asked White to speak at the Republican National Convention. Many believed Trump had no chance of becoming president, but White said loyalty mattered more to him.“Everybody said, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t do it,’” White told TIME Magazine.He explained that Trump had always supported him and UFC when the company was struggling years ago. White said he felt he should return that support, whether Trump won or lost the election.Dana White also shared details about helping Donald Trump reconnect with younger voters during the 2024 election race against Kamala Harris. White believed traditional television interviews alone would not help Trump reach new audiences. Because of that, he helped connect Trump with internet personalities and podcast hosts who attract millions of younger viewers. Trump later appeared on shows hosted by the Nelk Boys, Theo Von, Adin Ross, Joe Rogan, and Bussin’ with the Boys hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan.Trump praised White in the TIME Magazine story and said White introduced him to influencers and younger audiences he had never met before.The UFC president also spoke strongly about masculinity and mental health. White described himself as “unapologetically masculine” and said he does not like seeing men publicly discuss personal struggles. He believes such issues should be handled privately instead of being shared openly.White also pushed back against the phrase “toxic masculinity.” He said there is a difference between acting badly and simply being masculine. According to White, he dislikes seeing men who, in his view, do not behave strongly.Another major topic in the interview was Mark Zuckerberg. White joined Meta’s board in January 2025 and said he now sees Zuckerberg in a completely different way after working closely with him.“What I didn’t realize about Mark until I got on the board,” White said, “is Zuckerberg might be one of the biggest killers in the history of killers.”White also addressed the 2022 nightclub incident involving his wife, Anne White, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Video from the night showed both of them slapping each other during an argument. White later apologized publicly and again told TIME Magazine there was “no excuse” for what happened.He said he still looks back at the moment and asks himself how it happened and how to make sure it never happens again. The interview was first published by TIME Magazine.