Donald Trump’s visit to UFC 290 is part of a broader media strategy

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Donald Trump at UFC 264. IMAGO/USA TODAY Network

We’re less than a year and a half out from the start of the 2024 Presidential Elections, and Donald Trump’s campaign strategy looks set to take a more unique approach than ever. The former President’s recent appearance at UFC 290 is a reminder of how deep his ties to MMA and the UFC have grown over his tenure, and seems to be a sign that the promotion will be a big part of his next campaign.

Last weekend’s UFC event saw Trump talking to an eclectic mix of celebrities, from chef Guy Fieri to actor and director Mel Gibson who both attended UFC 290. Perhaps the most notable moment was Trump’s ten-second handshake with Joe Rogan ringside.

Trump adviser Steven Cheung posted a video of the interaction on Twitter, of an enthusiastic Rogan and affable Trump continuing to shake hands, point at each other, and exchange encouraging words. comment. Shortly after it appeared on social media platforms, the video went viral and was mentioned in numerous articles detailing Trump’s attendance at the fight card.

The interaction may not be that remarkable, all things considered. However, on multiple episodes of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the longtime UFC commentator has openly expressed his disdain for Trump as a politician, public figure, and human being, labeling the former president a “man-baby” and allegedly rejecting he has many offers. for Trump to make a guest appearance on Rogan’s podcast. It’s probably because of that background that the two of them holding hands got a big reaction on social media.

On many platforms, many users were in disbelief and disappointed by this publicity stunt. Even with notable celebrities like Jack White, lead singer of the White Stripes. On the morning of July 10th, White took to Instagram to denounce celebrities who took a moment to meet-and-greet the Republican strongman, declaring that “Anyone who ‘normalizes’ or treating this despicable fascist, racist, fraud, Disgusting piece of st Trump with any degree of respect is also despicable in my book.”

In America’s increasingly divisive political climate, it’s no surprise that Trump’s public appearance at UFC 290 ruffled many feathers. What’s fun this time is the setting; we’re used to seeing Trump at rallies full of red-faced, screaming supporters or inciting firestorms at a media press conference with fiery statements, not casually hanging out with Dana White next to Octagon.

Indeed, in terms of public appearances, livestreams and videos of Trump’s speeches have been surprisingly absent from cable news, which has been the golden goose for GOP propaganda in recent years. Perhaps, his appearance at UFC 290 last week provides insight into a new media strategy recently unveiled by Trump’s campaigning and PR team.

According to Politico, the Trump campaign has recently shown interest in non-traditional media outlets with impressionable male audiences associated with contact and combat sports; this includes many podcasts, such as UFC Unfiltered, the Nelk Boys’ Full Send Podcast, and even “Iron” Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ Podcast, which Trump may appear on in the coming months. Rumor has it that Trump may be interviewed by Barstool Sports, a sports media giant in the online landscape that caters to an audience of young men.

The UFC could be a way to capture young male voters

Trump’s efforts to make smaller appearances on niche shows and programs instead of appearing on television news indicate a risky but chronic strategy aimed at appealing to less politically active voters. , as do the younger audiences that respond to those platforms.

In response to these recent stunts, especially those at UFC 290, Republican strategist Andy Surabian said “Making non-traditional media and showing up at major cultural events like UFC fights is allows former President Trump to hit a completely different audience than doing an interview with Fox News or other political media. He’s putting himself in front of people who are less engaged in politics and don’t really see him. “

Trump clearly wants to prioritize catering to an audience that puts sports before politics by appearing on podcasts like UFC Unfiltered to talk about boxing and combat sports, as one of the show host that he did it for 40 minutes when they recently interviewed him for an upcoming show. In fact, by distancing himself from political discourse and engaging in bipartisan chitchat on these podcasts, Trump is trying to cement his brand among younger audiences beyond the root culture (MMA culture in this context).

Audiences of non-traditional media outlets and fighting events may begin to recognize his distance from the last few years’ worth of political rhetoric that he is known for, and thus, Trump’s public image will be at odds with the aforementioned ” baked-in view of him” in the minds of younger male combat sports fans, which could benefit their personal view of Trump and increase swings in his getting the vote of younger, more inactive in political men.

Trump’s history with combat sports gives him easy entry

So why does this happen in combat sports, in all public events and industries? This is because Trump has been known for his connections to warring executives for more than three decades and has hosted several warring events at his properties. As seen at UFC 290, Trump is friends with Dana White as well as boxing promoter Don King, and has hosted boxing and wrestling shows at his casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Trump’s advisers say venturing out on non-traditional platforms illustrates the comfort he has with celebrity and sports culture that supposedly few politicians can boast.

All in all, these recent stunts and appearances appear to be part of the Trump campaign’s effort to turn the harsh, edgy, and often anti-“woke” atmosphere surrounding niche media platforms into more votes for the former President. ; done by emphasizing (and distorting) modern cultural integration while de-emphasizing the political divisiveness that often alienates Gen-Zers and millennials from mainstream news and media.

What will it look like in 2023? Appearing at UFC 290 to shake Joe Rogan’s hand, then guesting on all the dude-bro and celebrity podcasts to entertain the thought that your walk-out music at a fighting event is a Kid Rock song, apparently .

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