A recent dinner hosted by musician Kid Rock, bringing together former President Donald Trump and comedian Bill Maher, sparked considerable media attention due to their historically contentious relationship. UFC CEO Dana White has now shared the story of his unexpected presence at this notable meeting.
While White`s close friendship with Trump is widely known, evidenced by the president`s attendance at UFC 314, his involvement in this dinner was less direct. His invitation stemmed from his connection to Kid Rock and a prior appearance on Maher`s podcast, Club Random. Apparently, Kid Rock, anticipating potential conflict given the years of public animosity between Trump and Maher, sought White`s presence as backup.
White, in an interview with Fox News, recounted Kid Rock`s plea: “Kid Rock is blowing up my phone, saying, `I need help! I`ve managed to get Bill Maher and Donald Trump to have dinner, and if things get heated, I don`t want to be the only one there. Can you fly out?`”
Kid Rock`s apprehension was arguably justified, considering Trump`s past $5 million lawsuit against Maher in 2013. The lawsuit followed Maher`s joke about Trump being the son of an orangutan, for which Maher offered to donate the sum to charity if proven wrong.
Despite their history of antagonism, White describes the dinner as surprisingly amiable. He even obtained a signed memento from the evening, which he intends to display in his UFC office.
White detailed the dinner`s opening: “Bill Maher walks into the Oval Office, where the president and I were, holding a piece of paper listing every insult the president had publicly directed at him over the years – about 100 names long. It was hilarious.”
“Thankfully, he had two copies, so I got them both signed. I`m planning to frame it and hang it in my office.”
Maher himself addressed the encounter on his HBO show, Real Time, describing how presenting the list of insults served as an icebreaker and seemingly diffused any tension.
“I brought this to the White House hoping he would sign it, which he did,” Maher explained. “He signed it with good humor. I know that saying this will cause some liberals to cringe, but I`m just reporting what happened. You can form your own opinions.”
White clarified that he mostly observed as Trump and Maher discussed various topics, but he found the entire experience positive.
“The most remarkable aspect of the dinner was seeing two individuals with a long history of dislike and opposing viewpoints come together to talk,” White stated.
“They discussed areas of both agreement and disagreement. Kid Rock and I often say that nobody leaves a meeting or dinner with Donald Trump disliking him. It`s practically impossible, and anyone who claims otherwise is likely being dishonest.”
While not the focus of the meeting, White recounted an amusing exchange with Maher upon arriving at the White House.
The UFC CEO mentioned that he typically dresses casually when visiting Trump, but Maher arrived in a suit and playfully criticized White for his more relaxed attire.
“The president always teases me for not wearing a suit,” White said. “Bill Maher walks into the Oval Office in a full suit and jokes, `There was no way I was showing up without a suit.` Looking at me without a suit, Maher quipped, `You look like you`re wearing the Zelenskyy collection.` It was all in good fun.”
“There was a lot of insightful and intelligent conversation between him and the president. Kid Rock and I mostly listened and let them have their discussion. It was a great experience.”
Maher, in his own summary of the dinner, admitted that his personal impression of Trump differed significantly from the persona portrayed on television and social media. However, he clarified that this shift in perception did not equate to an endorsement of Trump`s political views.
White echoed this sentiment, suggesting that facilitating dialogue between individuals with differing ideologies, rather than resorting to public criticism, could bridge divides.
“That`s what needs to happen,” White asserted. “People with opposing views should engage in conversation and respectful disagreement, instead of animosity.”
“It`s acceptable to disagree. You`ll never agree with everything someone says, whether it`s friends, family, or even the President of the United States. Disagreement doesn`t necessitate hatred.”
Marcus Blakely