Dana White Details ‘Unique Experience’ of Alleged Gunshots at White House Correspondents Dinner

UFC CEO Dana White was present at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Hilton hotel in Washington D.C.

Dana White Details ‘Unique Experience’ of Alleged Gunshots at White House Correspondents Dinner

Dana White talks about White House dinner shooting (via MMA Fighting, X)

In Short
  • Dana White remained calm during a shooting scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
  • A suspect attempted to breach security with a shotgun and handgun, causing panic among attendees.
  • White is preparing for UFC Freedom 250, a major event scheduled for June 14 at the White House.

UFC CEO Dana White has long been one of the most vocal supporters of Donald Trump, often appearing at his rallies and delivering speeches in support of his longtime associate. That loyalty was evident once again as White attended the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Despite a sudden shooting scare disrupting the event, the UFC head honcho remained largely unfazed as the situation unfolded.

The shooting unfolded during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton when gunfire erupted near a security checkpoint. A suspect armed with a shotgun and a handgun attempted to breach the area before firing several shots, triggering panic. Law enforcement and Secret Service agents responded within seconds, apprehending the individual and preventing access to the main event space.

White, who was seated close to Trump and other senior officials during the dinner, was among the notable figures present when the shooting occurred. The UFC CEO remained inside the venue as security forces moved through the area, securing attendees and bringing the situation under control. Despite the tense circumstances, White later told a reporter he enjoyed the chaos unfolding inside the hall.

It started getting noisy, tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns and they were screaming “Get down”. I didn’t get down, it was awesome, I literally took in every minute of it and it was a pretty crazy unique experience. We were sitting right in fromt of the table, right in front of where it (the shooting) happened. Nobody got tackled, but they came over by our table, I thought the shooter was by us or something.

Dana White via NBC News

Later footage emerged from inside the venue showing White during the incident, offering a clearer view of his reaction. He appeared calm while the venue descended into chaos, casually looking around rather than reacting with urgency. Alongside his wife, Anne White, he seemed to remain seated until security personnel arrived to escort them out, and was still seen laughing with others at the table.

Incidents like this are not entirely new for Trump, who has faced multiple assassination attempts in the past. One of the most widely reported came during a 2024 rally in Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear before he stood back up in defiance, drawing widespread attention. White had also reacted to that moment, publicly praising the US president’s perceived heroics and bravery following the incident.

Dana White’s presence at White House events is no coincidence, given his close ties with Donald Trump and repeated involvement in political gatherings. The UFC boss has become a regular in Washington, D.C., as preparations continue for a historic combat sports event. The promotion is set to stage its first event on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, aligning with the President’s birthday.

Dana White’s interaction with the US Interior Secretary ahead of UFC Freedom 250

Donald Trump first introduced the idea of a UFC event at the White House during a 2025 rally in Ohio, sparking immediate attention around the concept. Since then, Dana White has reportedly been working extensively behind the scenes on production plans, advancing development. He has also shared initial renderings of the proposed setup and confirmed that the project is officially titled UFC Freedom 250.

Dana White
Dana White (via Yahoo Sports)

However, the initial renderings of the proposed UFC Freedom 250 event depict a major production setup with a “claw”-shaped arena. White has also revealed that fighters will walk out directly from the Oval Office, adding a symbolic political element. During the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, White met Doug Burgum, where a reporter asked Burgum about approval of the event permits.

Absolutely! This is going to be spectacular. This is going to be one of the most memorable…100 years from now they’re going to be talking about June 14th, 2026.

Doug Burgum via C-Span

UFC Freedom 250 is being positioned as one of the biggest events in UFC history, with production planned on a massive scale. Dana White has indicated a reported $60 million budget for the event, highlighting its ambition. He also revealed that around $700,000 would be needed to replace the grass to accommodate the 25,000-pound Octagon, underscoring the logistical scale involved.

Also Read: