Colby Covington, the UFC fighter long associated with President Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again movement, is stepping away from politics once Trump’s second term ends. This is a major shift for Covington, who has spent nearly a decade actively campaigning and aligning himself with the president.
Covington recently opened up about his decision, describing politics as a “dirty game” where “loyalty is never rewarded.” He said he felt snubbed for a spot on a UFC White House card and has watched the MAGA movement change considerably over the years.
According to Bloody Elbow, his political journey started around 2018, initially as a way to get attention ahead of a title fight. What began as a strategic move quickly turned into a genuine embrace of the MAGA movement. He made history by being the first UFC title holder to bring a championship belt to the Oval Office in 2018, and has since spent a lot of time campaigning for Trump.
Covington now wants to focus on business and wrestling, leaving his political ambitions behind for good
Despite his deep involvement, Covington has grown increasingly uncomfortable with the attacks on Trump and the fast-changing political landscape. Trump’s presidency has been no stranger to controversy, and embarrassing moments that caught public attention have added to the noise surrounding his administration. Combined with personal disappointments, this seems to have pushed Covington to rethink his priorities.
“I love Trump, he’s a great guy, but I’m not really political,” Covington said. “In the future, you won’t see me campaigning or actively involved in politics. I don’t want to be a part of it anymore. It’s a dirty game, and loyalty is never rewarded.”
Covington once dreamed of holding public office, with ambitions of becoming the governor of Florida, a senator, or a congressman. The political world he once admired has also seen its share of turmoil, including Trump’s Iran claims being called out as false by a sitting senator, adding to the growing disillusionment many Trump allies have felt. Those dreams have now faded completely.
“My dream before was to be the governor of Florida, a senator, a congressman… Now, it’s like ‘nah… I just want to do business with Real American Beer, be in RAF Wrestling, and mind my own business in peace,” he said.
His immediate focus is on his upcoming match against Dillon Danis, set to air on Fox Nation this Saturday. He is clearly ready to put his energy into fighting and business, leaving political life behind. This marks the end of an era for a fighter who became one of the most recognizable, and controversial, figures at the crossroads of sports and politics.
Published: Mar 25, 2026 02:15 pm