A dinner arranged by musician Kid Rock between President Donald Trump and comedian Bill Maher gained attention due to their history. UFC CEO Dana White was also present at this meeting.
While Dana White is known to be friends with Trump, and Trump even attended UFC 314, White`s presence at this dinner was actually due to his connection with Kid Rock and his past appearance on Maher`s podcast, Club Random. Kid Rock invited White because of the past conflicts between Trump and Maher, wanting support during the dinner.
White mentioned to Fox News that Kid Rock contacted him, saying he needed help as he had arranged a dinner between Bill Maher and Donald Trump. Kid Rock was concerned about being alone if the meeting went badly and asked White to join.
Kid Rock`s concern was understandable, considering Trump once sued Maher for $5 million in 2013 after Maher joked about Trump`s parentage.
Despite past tensions, White described the dinner between Trump and Maher as friendly. He even received a signed memento from the event, which he plans to display in his UFC office.
White shared that Maher started the dinner by presenting President Trump with a list of insults Trump had directed at him over the years. It had about 100 names and was meant as a humorous icebreaker.
Maher spoke about this on his HBO show Real Time, mentioning he brought the list to the White House for Trump to sign. Trump signed it in good spirits. Maher acknowledged that this might upset some of his liberal viewers, but he wanted to accurately report what happened and let people form their own opinions.
White said he mostly observed during the dinner as Trump and Maher discussed various topics. He felt the meeting was a positive experience.
White emphasized that the best part of the dinner was seeing two people with long-standing disagreements come together to talk. They discussed areas of agreement and disagreement.
White added that he and Kid Rock believe that anyone who meets Donald Trump in person will like him. He considers it unlikely to dislike Trump after a meeting, suggesting those who claim otherwise are not being truthful.
Although not the focus of the dinner, White recounted a funny moment with Maher at the White House.
White mentioned he usually dresses casually when meeting Trump. Maher, however, arrived in a suit and joked about White`s lack of formal attire.
White recalled Maher joking that White`s clothes looked like they were from a Volodymyr Zelenskyy collection. White found the exchange amusing and enjoyable.
White concluded that the conversation between Trump and Maher, along with Kid Rock, was intelligent and productive. He and Kid Rock mostly listened as Trump and Maher engaged.
Maher admitted that after the dinner, his perception of Trump differed from Trump`s public persona. However, this didn`t mean Maher now agreed with Trump`s politics.
White echoed this sentiment, suggesting that bringing people with different views together can help bridge divides that might persist if they only communicated through media.
White concluded that it`s important for people with opposing views to engage in conversation and disagreement rather than animosity.
He noted that complete agreement is impossible, even with friends or family, and certainly not with a president. Disagreement doesn`t necessitate hatred.
