VIDEO: Dana White Embracing Accused Sex Traffickers at Vegas Fontainebleau Event Draws Conservative Ire

Posted on: March 8, 2025, 06:40h. 

Last updated on: March 9, 2025, 05:07h.

Corey Levitan Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

Conservatives are furious at a viral video showing Dana White warmly welcoming accused sex traffickers Andrew and Tristan Tate back to the US on Friday night in Las Vegas.

“Welcome to the States, boys,” the UFC CEO says in the clip, in which he warmly hugs Tristan. The greeting took place prior to a Power Slap 12, a slap-fighting event White held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

The clip is sparking bipartisan condemnation of White and the UFC.

“Pimping minors is now a conservative Christian value as long as you’re internet famous,” posted Ian Miles Cheong, a prominent conservative supporter of President Donald Trump, on X.

“I’m done with @ufc,” added conservative pundit John Cardillo on X. “If @danawhite can’t draw a line and disassociate from trash who bragged on video about grooming and raping teen girls, it tells me all I need to know.”

Check out video of the meeting:

Andrew Tate also sat ringside on Saturday evening, to watch UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena.

TV Star Gets Does of Reality

Later on Friday night, James Kennedy, who co-starred on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” from 2015 to 2024, also met the brothers. They were partying at the Fontainebleau’s LIV nightclub when Kennedy — apparently without realizing why they’re so reviled  — took a selfie with them and posted it to Instagram.

The next morning, Kennedy yanked the photo and, after being put on blast by his former show’s fans, posted the following note:

“I regret posting a photo with the Tate brothers last night. I was unfamiliar with their content and the allegations against them. I only knew them as podcasters that had posted a viral clip about Vanderpump. I have since educated myself and condemn their beliefs. I am sorry to all that I offended.”

The Accusations

The Tates were arrested in December 2022 in Romania, where they are under criminal investigation for forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money-laundering.

Additionally, an American woman filed a civil lawsuit in February 2025 in Florida, accusing the brothers of luring her to Romania for a “webcam sex trafficking ring” and engaging in witness intimidation and defamation after she cooperated with Romanian authorities.

The brothers, who are dual US and UK citizens, had been ordered to remain in Romania, but their travel restrictions were lifted with reported help from Trump administration special envoy Richard Grenell.

Late last month, they arrived in Florida, whose conservator governor. Ron DeSantis, made it clear he wasn’t happy about their arrival there.

“Florida is not a place where you’re welcome with that type of conduct,” DeSantis said at a press conference.

Some argued it wasn’t a surprise that White, who admitted in 2023 to slapping his wife, would associate with the Tates.

The brothers have consistently denied all accusations of wrongdoing.