Sage Steele hopes sports outlets ‘softens’ opposition to Trump support – Washington Examiner
Sage Steele, a podcast host and former ESPN anchor, has voiced her hope that sports media will become more supportive of athletes who express their support for President Donald Trump. In her comments, which were made during an appearance on Fox News, Steele pointed to a recent incident where Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers’ postgame interview was interrupted after he celebrated with a dance resembling Trump’s. Steele expressed a desire for media outlets to reduce divisiveness and allow athletes to celebrate their victories freely, comparing it to the festive atmosphere she experienced during a UFC event where notable figures, including Trump, were present. Steele’s comments reflect her belief in promoting unity among sports fans and connecting with political figures. She also shared a personal moment, attending the UFC fight with her father, who, at 78, has recently become a fan of the sport.
Sage Steele hopes sports outlets ‘softens’ opposition to Trump support
Podcast host Sage Steele expressed hope that sports broadcasters will tone down their rhetoric against athletes supporting President-elect Donald Trump, suggesting they should be allowed to “celebrate” like other Trump supporters.
Steele’s statement was in response to a question regarding Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, whose postgame interview was cut short after he responded to a question on why he did a victory dance similar to Trump’s iconic dance move. Steele, who attended Saturday night’s UFC fight where Jon “Bones” Jones also did the Trump dance, said she was “smiling” when Jones did the dance, knowing the fight was being broadcasted on ESPN+, a Disney-owned media outlet.
“Because you can’t cut away from Jon “Bones” Jones doing the Trump dance in the middle of the octagon for what he did when he won, so it was so incredible,” Steele said on Fox News’s Fox & Friends. “And hopefully, all these media companies and everyone else just softens. Let’s just stop the divisiveness, enjoy what this is. These are athletes celebrating victories, bringing people together. So, to watch Trump, by the way, absorbing all that as well, and enjoying it and laughing at John.”
Steele worked at ESPN for 16 years before leaving in 2023 to “exercise my First Amendment rights more freely.” She has since started her own podcast, The Sage Steele Show, which has featured several notable people, including UFC CEO Dana White and Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump.
Steele also reflected on people’s energy and excitement at Saturday’s UFC event, noting Trump’s walk up to the fight was “incredible.” She said part of the excitement came from seeing not just the president-elect but “almost everybody” in his Cabinet so far, including billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, former Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), among others.
One of the best moments from @ufc 309 last night?!
Witnessing these legends stand together & chant
“USA, USA!” with 22K strong! @realDonaldTrump @elonmusk @TulsiGabbard @RobertKennedyJr @SpeakerJohnson @KidRock @DonaldJTrumpJr @EricTrump … AND democrat… pic.twitter.com/4HFItNGjVZ— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) November 17, 2024
Steele brought her father to the fight, thanks to some help from White. She revealed she wanted to become a sportscaster because of her father, who is still “on cloud nine” after attending Saturday’s fight.
When your dad/hero
finally understands your obsession with @ufcAt 78 years young, he’s proof that it’s never too late to become a fight fan!
HUGE thanks to my friend @danawhite for the best father-daughter night ever! #ufc309 pic.twitter.com/ZFnGGbmkZv
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) November 18, 2024
The fight also saw Jones lend his heavyweight champion title belt to Trump, with footage of the pass shared on X. Trump also greeted UFC announcer Joe Rogan, who endorsed him after their interview on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, right before Election Day.
Following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election against Vice President Kamala Harris, White gave a shoutout to various podcast hosts for conducting interviews with Trump, which was part of the former president’s move to win over the young male vote. White has been an ally of the Trump campaign, calling Trump the “real American bada**” at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
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