Many professional athletes, both active and inactive, supported Donald Trump as he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.
As Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States began on Monday, some of these athletes appeared to be in Washington to witness the historic event.
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The athletes below braved Washington’s freezing temperatures to support the president.
Jake and Logan Paul
January 20, 2025; Washington, DC: Jake Paul, left, and Logan Paul, right, sit in the viewing area of Emancipation Hall during the 2025 Presidential Inauguration at the United States Capitol. (Jasper Colt-USA TODAY)
The Paul brothers have been huge Trump supporters in recent years. Trump even appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast, “IMPAULSIVE,” in June while he was on the campaign trail. Jake Paul endorsed Trump for president in late October and celebrated his victory after Election Day.
“Any American who doesn’t support Trump after this speech simply hates America and doesn’t want what’s best for this country and the world,” Jake Paul wrote on X.
Conor McGregor
January 20, 2025; Washington, DC UFC fighter Conor McGregor is seen during inauguration ceremonies at Emancipation Hall at the United States Capitol in Washington, January 19, 2025. (Angelina Katsanis-Pool via Imagn Images)
Jake and Logan Paul were seen in a photo boarding a bus to go to the inauguration events. Conor McGregor was seen sitting behind the two of them. McGregor was in Washington all weekend and took photos while meeting with some of Trump’s cabinet nominees.
McGregor spoke to reporters on the red carpet at the inaugural ball.
“It’s amazing to be here. I’m very excited, very optimistic about the future,” McGregor said. “And it’s a good time here in the United States. I was here the last time Donald Trump became president in 2016. And the energy and the response is day and night, which is a testament to how how he behaved as president, his last run, and how he has behaved since.
Dana White
Dana White arrives for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 20, 2025. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
UFC President Dana White was spotted with his wife in the Capitol rotunda. White had been a big supporter of Trump for years. He spoke at Trump’s rally at Capital One Arena on Sunday evening.
“The people have spoken loud and clear. America wants President Trump back in the White House. Think about it: winning this election after everything that has happened in recent years is an incredible achievement and a historic amazing comeback,” he said.
“Think about everything President Trump had to go through to get back here. All the powerful forces that tried to bring him down: the mainstream media, the partisan prosecutors, the assassins. It’s absolutely insane what this man went through . And only President Trump could have overcome all these obstacles, all these attacks, and emerged victorious.
Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 20, 2025. (Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)
Miriam Adelson, majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was present at the inauguration. The Adelson family donated $100 million to their Preserve America political action committee to support Trump’s presidential campaign, according to Front Office Sports. This number marks the largest political donation ever made by an NBA, NFL, MLB or WNBA owner.
She purchased a majority stake in the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in December 2023.
Wayne Gretzky
Former NHL great Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones arrive in the rotunda of the United States Capitol before the inauguration. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was spotted at the unveiling, near White and Adelson, before the festivities began.
The appearance by the former Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers superstar comes as Trump touts the hockey legend as Canada’s next leader. On Christmas Day, Trump urged Canadian citizens to encourage Gretzky to become the next prime minister.
Trump said he even talked to Gretzky about becoming the “governor of Canada” as the country faced teasing about becoming part of the United States.
