Why Dana White introduced Trump at the GOP convention

Zoom in: If Trump wins November's election, it's not entirely clear that Melania Trump — who is rarely seen and has departed from many first lady traditions — would return to the White House.

• In an emotional statement after the assassination attempt against her husband on Saturday, Melania Trump urged the country to "ascend above the hate."
• Despite not having speaking roles, Melania and Ivanka Trump are expected to attend the final night of the convention on Thursday.

The big picture: White was scheduled to introduce Trump even before the assassination attempt, which turned the political world on its axis and brought new meaning to a campaign centered on the theme of "Trump, the fighter."

• White's relationship with Trump dates back to at least 2001, when the then-real estate mogul offered to host White's struggling mixed martial arts promotion at his properties in New Jersey.
• In the two decades since, the UFC has exploded into a global phenomenon and a multibillion-dollar public company that has partnered with mainstream brands like ESPN and Budweiser.

What he's saying: White called Trump "a fighter" and the "toughest, most resilient human being" he had met before introducing the former president at the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Flashback: After the 2016 RNC, Melania Trump's speechwriter apologized for plagiarizing passages from a 2008 speech by former first lady Michelle Obama.

Between the lines: White, an outspoken and controversial promoter who continued putting on events throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, says Trump is a genuine combat sports fan with a deep knowledge of the history of the sport.

• The UFC, known for its sanctioned violence and culture of machismo, is unlike any major sports organization in the way its fighters and fans have actively embraced Trump.
• On Saturday night pay-per-view events based in the U.S., it's become a tradition for the main card to begin with a choreographed entrance by Trump and White, usually joined by Kid Rock or other celebrities.
• The atmosphere for the walkout is often similar to that of Trump's appearances at the RNC this week in Milwaukee: music blaring and thousands of raucous fans cheering his name.

That was especially true at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, last month — Trump's first public appearance after being convicted in his New York hush money trial.

The intrigue: White, like Trump and many of the RNC's speakers, has his own record of controversy.

• On the morning of New Year's Day 2023, a video emerged of an intoxicated White and his wife slapping each other at a night club in Cabo San Lucas.
• White apologized for the incident, but continued in his role without punishment.
• The UFC CEO and president has been accused of underpaying his fighters, who risk their health to compete at the highest level of MMA, and of blacklisting journalists for reporting news about the promotion.

What to watch: Throughout the week, delegates at the RNC have repeatedly broken into chants of "fight, fight, fight" — a reference to Trump's first words to the crowd on Saturday after surviving his assassination attempt.

• Expect that to be the theme of the night.
• Former WWE executive Linda McMahon, who later served as Trump's Small Business Administrator, and retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan are also expected to speak.
• "I know fighters," White said in his speech at the 2016 RNC. "Donald Trump is a fighter, and I know he will fight for this country."

Go deeper: Hulk Hogan at the RNC: "Trump is the toughest of them all"

Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of UFC CEO Dana White's RNC speech.