Eric Trump is pushing back hard after a bizarre online firestorm erupted over now-deleted messages that appeared to show him asking whether UFC fights tied to a White House event were “rigged.”
The president’s son denied the screenshots were real, calling the situation “scary” after UFC commentator Daniel Cormier’s X account posted and then deleted an alleged exchange that quickly spread across social media.
“This is completely fake! I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary,” Eric Trump wrote on X on Sunday, June 14.
He later added, “We are aware of the fake, AI-generated screenshots being circulated online. I have never spoken to Daniel. He has since deleted his post, which confirms it was clearly fabricated.”
The online chaos began after Cormier’s account shared a dramatic post claiming he was about to take heat for “bringing this to light,” adding that he “refuse[d] to stay silent” and saying, “Shame on anyone trying to ruin this beautiful event.”
Attached to the post was what appeared to be a private conversation between Cormier and Eric Trump.
In the alleged exchange, Eric appeared to ask whether any fighters were injured before allegedly getting more direct.
“I’ll just cut to the chase,” the message read. “Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged? I’ve been eyeing the [Diego] Lopes fight, and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic. $$”
Cormier allegedly responded with outrage, saying, “No none of our fights rigged and honestly I am appalled that you would even ask me something like that.”
The post was deleted, but not before screenshots ricocheted across X and ignited a wave of speculation.
Cormier later insisted the messages were not real and suggested his account may have been compromised.
“Are people really this dumb?” he wrote after deleting the post.
In clips posted online as he took photos with fans in Washington, D.C., Cormier again denied the alleged exchange was authentic.
“Not real, I can’t believe you guys believed that,” he said. “Like, who believes that? I got hacked or something. Who believes something like that. That’s crazy. Why would I do that?”
Still, the denials from both men did little to stop critics from piling on.
Some social media users said they were not convinced by Eric Trump’s response, with one person writing, “A Trump denying participation in something scandalous is not proof of anything. That happens every day.”
Another critic accused Eric of lying, while a third speculated that Cormier may have posted the exchange and then reversed course after backlash.
“In all likelihood, this text exchange happened,” the user claimed. “DC was taking a stand and was promptly asked wtf he’s doing publishing this right before the White House card.”
There is no public proof the alleged messages are real, and both Eric Trump and Cormier have denied their authenticity.
The controversy comes as Eric Trump remains under scrutiny for his public role alongside his father and the family’s expanding business interests.
Last month, he drew criticism after accompanying President Donald Trump on a trip to China. Writer Julie Roginsky argued on her Substack, Salty Politics, that Eric Trump’s presence should be treated as “an ethical and national security scandal,” citing concerns about business ties involving Alt5 Sigma, a company connected to the Trump family’s crypto interests.
Eric reportedly holds an observer position on Alt5’s board, while the company has been linked to efforts involving a Chinese chipmaker.
A spokesperson for the Trump family dismissed concerns at the time, saying Eric was in China “in a personal capacity” and would not be taking part in private meetings.
For now, the UFC message controversy remains a messy social media mystery: one side says the screenshots were fake, Cormier says he may have been hacked, and critics are still demanding answers about how the explosive post appeared in the first place.
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Everything the Trumps do is dishonest poor class