Mixed martial arts (MMA) mogul Dana White has stirred the political pot once again, this time taking direct aim at Vice President Kamala Harris. Following her recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Harris found herself under fire from White, who labeled her remarks as incoherent and concerning for her presidential aspirations.
During the October 8 episode of The Late Show, Colbert posed a question to Harris about what major changes she would implement if elected as President compared to her current position alongside President Biden. Her hesitant response included comments on the importance of leadership and aspirations for the American people, but her stilted delivery quickly drew the eye of critics.
"Well, I’m obviously not Joe Biden. That would be one change," Harris stated, drawing mixed reactions from the audience. She followed up with, "But also, I think it’s important to say with 28 days to go, I’m not Donald Trump,” emphasizing her distinct positioning from both the former and current presidents. Yet many felt her explanation lacked substance, provoking laughter and disbelief.
Dana White, ever the vocal supporter of Trump, did not hold back on his evaluation of Harris’s performance. "I don’t like to post a lot of political content, but this clip should scare EVERYONE,” he posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He criticized her, saying, "She is the sitting VP and running for President of the United States. She is incapable of putting a sentence together without a teleprompter and even she appears to know she is in way over her head." White continued to warn about the gravity of the upcoming election, adding, "This election is very important and... this along with the many other clips of her attempting to answer questions should SCARE THE S–T OUT OF YOU!!!"
The video clip he shared became widely circulated, sparking discussions about Harris's public speaking skills and overall preparedness for the presidency. His post attracted divided comments online, with many Trump supporters echoing White's sentiment, contrasting with others questioning whether White's own political biases clouded his judgment.
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., echoed White's critique, humorously stating, "She’s so brilliant, literally no one is smart enough to understand WTF she’s ever saying,” highlighting the Republican camp's focus on undermining Harris's capabilities.
White’s remarks come at a time when Harris has faced increasing scrutiny for her performance during public appearances. Various commentators have noted her tendency to deliver what has been termed "word salad" — responses filled with phrases but lacking clarity and focus. Critics view this as detrimental to her campaign as it may provide ammunition for opponents, including Trump, who could use her verbal slips to paint her as unfit for leadership.
White, who has been openly supportive of Trump, previously endorsed him vigorously at the Republican National Convention, stating, "Trump is fighting for the future of the country.” His long-standing friendship with Trump likely motivates his vocal criticism of political opponents, especially those running against his friend.
Reflecting on White's lengthy friendship with Trump, it's clear there’s more than just political alignment at play. White considers Trump instrumental to the UFC's ascent, where the former president provided significant public exposure and support at key points when the organization was struggling.
Back when the UFC was dubbed "human cock-fighting" by critics, it was Trump who offered White and the Fertitta brothers much-needed opportunities by hosting events at his Trump Taj Mahal venue. This gesture helped lift the struggling promotion just as they were on the brink of collapse.
With the upcoming presidential election just weeks away, the stakes are high. The internal dynamics among candidates are intensifying as they seek to woo voters through public engagements. Harris’s campaign, particularly, is fraught with challenges as she attempts to distance herself from the controversies surrounding the Biden administration.
While White’s incendiary comments might resonate with the Republican base, Harris’s team could see this as another signal to recalibrate their strategy as they prepare for what could be a particularly contentious final stretch before election day.
Only time will tell if Harris can recover from this latest media distraction as she juggles the needs of her campaign with the expectations of the public. For now, Dana White’s comments are reverberaging throughout both the sports and political worlds, underscoring the interconnectedness of celebrity, politics, and public perception.
Peer pressure, public speaking, and the ability to clearly communicate one's vision are qualities voters are likely to scan for when weighing their options at the polls. For Kamala Harris, solidifying her position might just hinge on overcoming these very challenges laid bare by none other than Dana White.
