Donald Trump has spent less time campaigning in early-voting states and has been showing up at sporting events, one of which was a recent UFC brawl in Las Vegas, PBS NewsHour reported.
As NewsHour's report points out, video of Trump's appearances at such sporting events get big engagement on social media, including on non-political outlets, giving him exposure that is far cheaper and easier than political rallies.
Aides speaking to NewsHour say the strategy allows a more diverse audience to be exposed to Trump, including Black and Latino potential voters.
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"In recent years, he has become particularly tied to mixed martial arts and its machismo. He is close personal friends with (Dana) White, UFC’s founder, who spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016 and 2020 and credits Trump for saving the sport by hosting fights when others shunned it as too violent," NewsHour's report stated.
UFC fighters like Colby Covington have vocally endorsed Trump, and he reportedly unsuccessfully lobbied the UFC to have Trump walk him out for his fight against Leon Edwards this Saturday night.
When Trump attends events like the UFC, people get to see him "through an unvarnished filter that isn’t tainted by news media and political biases,” said his spokesman Steven Cheung, who previously worked for UFC himself.
“It gives us the great opportunity to connect with voters who are, quite frankly, turned off by many traditional news outlets.”
Read the full report over at PBS NewsHour.
