Former President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at UFC 299 in Miami on Saturday night, accompanied by his daughter Ivanka. The ex-President, known for his affinity for the sport, walked in during the undercard before the Sean O’Malley-Marlon Vera main event. As customary, UFC founder Dana White joined Trump cage-side, and fans showered the Republican figure with applause while a Kid Rock anthem played in the arena.
During this UFC event, Trump interacted with notable figures, including Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, and former ESPN host Sage Steele. Portnoy, previously supportive of Trump, recently backed Nikki Haley’s campaign for the GOP presidential nomination. The 54-year-old White, a staunch Trump supporter, has faced sponsor conflicts over his social media posts supporting the former President. Despite this, his loyalty to Trump remains steadfast, and the two have shared numerous UFC event appearances.
This rare public outing for Trump and Ivanka follows their last public appearance together in January 2024, at Melania Trump’s mother’s funeral. Ivanka had distanced herself from her father’s business and political activities, but her return coincides with the withdrawal of Nikki Haley, Trump’s competition for the GOP ticket. Despite her absence from Trump’s nomination campaign, Ivanka has re-emerged alongside her father after Haley’s exit.
