UFC president Dana White has publicly addressed the death of Charlie Kirk, saying the incident has devastated his family. Kirk, a conservative commentator and ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during a Q&A event at Utah Valley University last week.
White spoke about the personal impact on his children during an appearance on the Impaulsive podcast. He said he woke up to a flood of messages and was struck by how deeply his kids were affected, including his 19-year-old daughter, who had followed Kirk on social media.
Logan Paul commented during the podcast that the shooting disrupted a moment meant for peaceful debate and conversation, a pattern White has often associated with American discourse. White offered a counterpoint, noting that violence substitutes for dialogue, a path that he says underscores a troubling trend.
Kirk and White had previously been photographed together in August 2023 after Kirk posted a photo with White online. The UFC paid tribute to Kirk at UFC Noche on Saturday.
White and Trump have built a long friendship over more than two decades. Trump hosted UFC events at his Atlantic City casino in the early 2000s and later invited White to campaign appearances. White has spoken at Republican National Conventions and has supported Trump in campaigns. White has floated plans for a historic UFC card on the White House lawn, with fighters walking from the Oval Office into the Octagon, a concept White discussed during a guest appearance on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson. White met with Trump at the White House at the end of August to finalize details for what would be a highly unusual event.
The UFC community also marked Kirk's death with tributes and recognition at UFC Noche on Saturday night.