Podcast Summary: The Tucker Carlson Show Episode: Dana White: Joining the Board at Meta, the Bryce Mitchell Controversy, and His Friendship With Trump
Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction to Dana White's Role at Meta

In this episode, host Tucker Carlson engages in an in-depth conversation with Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The discussion delves into White's recent appointment to the board of Meta (formerly Facebook), his friendship with former President Donald Trump, and the ongoing controversy surrounding UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell.

Dana White's Relationship with Donald Trump

Building a Strong Alliance Dana White emphasizes his close personal and professional relationship with Donald Trump, highlighting their long-standing friendship and mutual respect.

Dana White (02:04): "I have a great relationship with this guy [Trump]. We are very close."

Impact of Trump's Assassination Attempt White recounts a pivotal moment when Trump was nearly assassinated, illustrating Trump's resilience and unwavering commitment.

Dana White (03:14): "When you almost get assassinated the way that he was, I think it messes with you a little bit... he made a complete recovery."

Trump's Influence Post-Assassination White observes that Trump's experience has fortified his leadership qualities, making him more decisive and in command.

Dana White (03:58): "He's doing the opposite of everything you'd recommend, but running the world."

Joining the Meta Board

Initial Interaction with Mark Zuckerberg White shares the story of how Mark Zuckerberg approached him to join Meta's board, leading to their personal and professional collaboration.

Dana White (13:42): "He said, 'I think you're a great businessman... I would be honored if you would sit on the board for Meta.'"

Purpose and Expectations While acknowledging Meta's reputation for censorship, White positions his role as bringing "spine" and "common sense" to the company's decision-making processes.

Dana White (21:57): "I'm looking forward to it. And I think that when I can add value, I will speak up."

Interactions with Silicon Valley Leaders White highlights a trend of Silicon Valley executives, including Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, fostering relationships with Trump, viewing it as a move towards common sense and resilience post the "woke" era.

Dana White (13:42): "I've started to create a relationship from there. We talked, and, you know, he's a UFC fan, and we became friends."

Bryce Mitchell Controversy

Handling Controversial Statements The episode addresses the situation involving UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell, whose recent remarks were deemed offensive. White outlines his direct and unfiltered approach to managing such controversies.

Dana White (16:31): "I started looking up World War II and... remind Bryce Mitchell on what a piece of Hitler was."

Commitment to Authenticity White emphasizes that his responses are genuine and not scripted, reflecting his true feelings and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UFC.

Dana White (16:31): "Nobody writes anything for me. Everything is exactly how I feel about it, whether you like it or not."

State of Free Speech and Censorship

Advocacy for Free Speech Both Carlson and White underscore the importance of maintaining free speech, especially within American society, contrasting it with perceived global suppression.

Dana White (24:35): "The only place where there is true free speech is in America."

Meta's Role in Global Media White likens Meta to a new-age media giant, asserting its significant influence comparable to traditional networks and newspapers.

Dana White (25:30): "Facebook, Instagram, X, etc., are the new media... more powerful."

Reflections on Professional Sports Leagues

Critique of the NBA White offers a candid assessment of the NBA, lamenting the decline in its competitive spirit and the impact of commercialization on the game's integrity.

Dana White (31:00): "The NBA has gotten soft... the NBA just isn't like that [competitive spirit] since Kobe."

Comparison with the UFC and NFL He contrasts the NBA's trajectory with that of the UFC and NFL, emphasizing the UFC's relentless drive and the NFL's enduring dominance despite challenges.

Dana White (30:18): "The NFL is as powerful as powerful could be. The NBA ratings are dropping."

Dana White's Personal Insights and Future Aspirations

Unwavering Commitment White passionately declares his intent to remain active in the UFC, underscoring his dedication and refusal to retire.

Dana White (34:15): "I will never retire, ever. I will keep dogging this out until the day I drop dead."

Views on Industry Leadership He expresses disdain for established figures like boxing promoter Bob Arum, while also acknowledging their influence and longevity in the sports industry.

Dana White (34:33): "He's the biggest douchebag of all time... How do you not respect that?"

Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive look into Dana White's multifaceted role as a UFC leader, Meta board member, and close ally of Donald Trump. White's perspectives on free speech, media influence, and the state of professional sports offer listeners a nuanced understanding of his influence both within and outside the sports world.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dana White on Trump's Resilience:
  [03:14] "When you almost get assassinated the way that he was, I think it messes with you a little bit... he made a complete recovery."

• Dana White on Joining Meta's Board:
  [13:42] "He said, 'I think you're a great businessman... I would be honored if you would sit on the board for Meta.'"

• Dana White on Handling Bryce Mitchell:
  [16:31] "Nobody writes anything for me. Everything is exactly how I feel about it, whether you like it or not."

• Dana White on Free Speech in America:
  [24:35] "The only place where there is true free speech is in America."

• Dana White on the NBA's Decline:
  [31:00] "The NBA has gotten soft... the NBA just isn't like that [competitive spirit] since Kobe."

• Dana White's Commitment to UFC:
  [34:15] "I will never retire, ever. I will keep dogging this out until the day I drop dead."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the topics addressed by Tucker Carlson and Dana White.