Matt Flegenheimer

In February 2001, at a moment when, as White would say later, nobody was taking them seriously, Donald Trump took them seriously.

In February 2001, at a moment when, as White would say later, nobody was taking them seriously, Donald Trump took them seriously.

This is the moment. And obviously, White was grateful to be hosted by Trump to have the sort of legitimacy that came with having a major fight night at a Trump venue at that time. With that said, this is not an overnight success by any stretch. They're losing money. It's not taking off in any kind of rocket ship way.

This is the moment. And obviously, White was grateful to be hosted by Trump to have the sort of legitimacy that came with having a major fight night at a Trump venue at that time. With that said, this is not an overnight success by any stretch. They're losing money. It's not taking off in any kind of rocket ship way.

But you can see some sort of early signs that Trump and White understand each other. Trump invites one of the fighters onto the Celebrity Apprentice for a season. And reality TV really plays a substantial role in the UFC's arc.

But you can see some sort of early signs that Trump and White understand each other. Trump invites one of the fighters onto the Celebrity Apprentice for a season. And reality TV really plays a substantial role in the UFC's arc.

In 2005, there's a reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, that debuts.

In 2005, there's a reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, that debuts.

It really helps drive interest and... complete the picture of these fighters for viewers. They get attached to these sort of biographies, these compelling stories.

It really helps drive interest and... complete the picture of these fighters for viewers. They get attached to these sort of biographies, these compelling stories.

That's just not my style. And it does really help the fights themselves get a sort of wider audience and gain more traction.

That's just not my style. And it does really help the fights themselves get a sort of wider audience and gain more traction.

To such an extent, as the UFC grows, that Trump gets a little jealous. What did he do? So in 2008, Trump announces he's investing in his own rival mixed martial arts enterprise. And, you know, he's trying to sort of harness some of the energy that the UFC is clearly channeling. But his group is not long for this world, and his operation collapses pretty quickly.

To such an extent, as the UFC grows, that Trump gets a little jealous. What did he do? So in 2008, Trump announces he's investing in his own rival mixed martial arts enterprise. And, you know, he's trying to sort of harness some of the energy that the UFC is clearly channeling. But his group is not long for this world, and his operation collapses pretty quickly.

But it's really a testament to the Trump-White friendship. The two of them are not necessarily the type to take kindly to business threats in their respective fields. And they stay on very good terms here. And in 2011, the UFC signs a big TV contract. Trump sees an article about it.

But it's really a testament to the Trump-White friendship. The two of them are not necessarily the type to take kindly to business threats in their respective fields. And they stay on very good terms here. And in 2011, the UFC signs a big TV contract. Trump sees an article about it.

takes it, writes a message on it, and sends it to White saying, you know, congratulations, I always knew you were going to do it.

takes it, writes a message on it, and sends it to White saying, you know, congratulations, I always knew you were going to do it.

And sort of, you know, it's both a compliment and self-regarding about his own instincts that Trump saw it coming as well.

And sort of, you know, it's both a compliment and self-regarding about his own instincts that Trump saw it coming as well.