Retired UFC veteran Matt Brown did not hold back after hearing Dana White describe a recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as “awesome.”
A gunman reportedly forced his way through security during the event and opened fire, injuring a police officer before authorities restrained him. While many people reacted with shock, White later said the chaotic scene was a “crazy” and “awesome” experience.
Those comments did not sit well with Matt Brown, who said anyone who has lived through real violence should know there is nothing exciting about a shooting.
“I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” Matt Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “It completely blindsided me when I saw that clip of him saying that was awesome.I think I have more justification to criticize that because I’ve been in a mass shooting before.”
Brown’s reaction comes from painful firsthand experience. In 2004, he attended the infamous Damageplan concert in Columbus, Ohio, where guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was murdered after a gunman stormed the stage and opened fire.
Brown said surviving that night showed him the true horror of violent incidents, which is why White’s wording shocked him.
“I’ve been there when there was a shooting going on, which most people probably haven’t,” Matt Brown said. “It is not awesome in any sense of the word. It is not f***ing cool one bit.”
“For him to say that, I did not appreciate that. A dude got shot. Maybe he survived, but he got shot. That’s a traumatic experience for him. There’s not a single thing awesome about that.”
Brown made it clear he understands Dana White often uses controversial comments to spark headlines and reactions. Still, he believes this situation crossed a line.
“I’m not one to criticize what people say a lot of times,” Matt Brown said. “Dana says a lot of stuff that people can have opinions about. That’s what he does well. He gets people talking.”
“But that one, I don’t have a lot of respect for that. You can’t say that. It was very tone-deaf.”
The longtime UFC welterweight said violent incidents affect more than just the people physically injured. Witnesses, first responders, and families can carry those moments for years.
“My point is that was a traumatic experience for a lot of people,” Matt Brown said. “Even if you somehow oddly feel that, it’s just not what you say.”
Brown’s criticism adds another layer to the ongoing conversation around how public figures respond to serious events. In his view, some moments require less bravado and more respect.
