Many individuals who backed Donald Trump on a single concern are actually questioning in the event that they made a mistake as the fact of his second-term international coverage unfolds. Matt Brown, the retired UFC welterweight, took to X this week to specific remorse over his vote for Donald Trump within the 2024 presidential election.
Brown’s feedback arrived days after the USA and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran on February 28, an operation dubbed “Epic Fury” by the Pentagon. The strikes marked a big escalation within the Center East, with over 1,000 targets hit throughout the first 24 hours.
Brown made his place clear in a pair of posts on X, writing:
“I voted for trump final election. Particularly due to the no new wars half. No different cause in any respect. That’s why this upsets me. I take the blame for placing belief in any single considered one of these dirtbags.”
He adopted up with a second post:
“I feel I relate to lots of people on the market that don’t need to discuss lots about politics and govt however goddammit these crooked fucks are on the market protecting every others asses about Epstein island and now again to killing center jap individuals for no cause. Fuck this govt.”
Brown’s frustration touches on two points which have rattled the Trump coalition in current months: the administration’s dealing with of the Jeffrey Epstein recordsdata and the choice to launch navy operations in Iran. The Epstein Information Transparency Act was signed into legislation in late 2025, however the Justice Division’s releases had been closely redacted, drawing criticism from each Democrats and a few Trump supporters.
The Iran strikes, in the meantime, prompted uncommon public dissent from Trump allies, with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the navy motion “America Final” and saying it felt like “the worst betrayal.”
Brown Joins Rising Record of Disillusioned UFC Figures
Brown is much from the one UFC fighter to distance himself from the present administration. Sean Strickland turned down a White Home invite for the deliberate UFC occasion in 2026, citing the Epstein controversy and saying, “Simply to exit with the f—ing Epstein checklist? I’m good, dude.” Bryce Mitchell, who as soon as mentioned he’d “take a bullet” for Trump, renounced his help in October 2025, calling the president “the Antichrist” and saying, “He talked a superb sport. He tricked me. I used to be fooled. I admit it.”
Who Is Matt Brown?
Brown constructed one of many extra compelling tales in MMA historical past. Earlier than preventing, he battled dependancy to meth, cocaine, and heroin, surviving an overdose that earned him his nickname “The Immortal.” He entered his first battle on just a few hours’ discover throughout a cocaine-fueled journey to observe a buddy compete, purchased a mouthpiece from throughout the road, and received.
He joined the UFC by Season 7 of The Final Fighter in 2008 and went on to compete in 30 octagon bouts over 16 years. Brown retired in Might 2024 with knowledgeable report of 24-19, holding the second-most knockouts in UFC historical past with 13, trailing solely Derrick Lewis. He earned 9 post-fight bonuses, the second-most in UFC welterweight historical past, and was thought of the most effective fighters by no means to compete for a title.
A Sample of Purchaser’s Regret
Brown’s feedback present a sentiment constructing amongst voters who backed Trump on anti-war grounds. Trump campaigned on retaining the U.S. out of latest conflicts, however the launch of Operation Epic Fury, which noticed over 100 plane deployed in coordinated strikes with Israel and resulted in American casualties, contradicted that promise for a lot of supporters. Allies near the White Home have acknowledged the political danger, with Trump’s political operation shifting shortly to comprise dissent inside his personal base.
Brown, who now runs Immortal Martial Arts Heart in Ohio and his personal espresso line, Immortal Espresso, has been vocal on fighter advocacy points since retiring. His political feedback mark a shift for a fighter who traditionally prevented wading into partisan territory, which is maybe why his self-described frustration, voting on a single concern and feeling burned, might resonate with a specific slice of disillusioned voters.
