In a recent podcast interview published on May 22 with The New Yorker editor David Remnick, UFC President Dana White offered a controversial defense of President Donald Trump, claiming the president cannot be racist based on his past relationship with the late Michael Jackson. White, a long-time ally of the president, argued that Trump’s interactions with the legendary musician serve as proof of his non-discriminatory nature, despite ongoing criticisms regarding his rhetoric and behavior.
The Michael Jackson Connection
White’s primary evidence for Trump’s character rests on the president’s friendship with Michael Jackson, one of the most famous Black men in history. White stated that Trump frequently had Jackson around his children and family. “Donald Trump, all this stuff’s coming out now,” White said, referencing recent media coverage. “You know, the ‘Michael’ movie just came out, and you see all these videos now popping up of Trump defending Michael Jackson and the type of person that he was, and that Michael Jackson was around his children and around his family a lot.” White insisted that Trump defended Jackson during times of controversy, leading him to conclude, “So to call the guy a racist is crazy. He’s not a racist.”
Debate Over Jackson’s Legacy
The discussion took a sharp turn when Remnick challenged White’s perspective on Jackson’s character. Remnick acknowledged Jackson’s talent but described him as a “deeply, deeply flawed human being,” noting the numerous child sexual abuse allegations Jackson faced throughout his career. Jackson denied the accusations and was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial, maintaining his innocence until his death in 2009. White agreed that Jackson was flawed but questioned the extent of the abuse allegations, particularly regarding children. Remnick clarified that the abuse referred to was directed at kids, a point White acknowledged as terrible but remained skeptical of the broader narrative.
Confrontation Over Political Rhetoric
The conversation also addressed Trump’s recent posting of a video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Remnick asked White if this content gave him pause, noting that if Trump were truly non-discriminatory, he would not associate with such imagery. White doubled down on his support, stating, “If he was that type of person, I never would associate with that type of a person, no matter who he was.” He dismissed the negative narrative surrounding Trump as a political construct rather than a reflection of his actions or words. White told Remnick that the criticism “comes from politics” and not from Trump’s actual treatment of people, describing the president as a “tough guy” who is unafraid to give his opinion.
