Many people who backed Donald Trump on a single issue are now wondering if they made a mistake as the reality of his second-term foreign policy unfolds. Matt Brown, the retired UFC welterweight, took to X this week to express regret over his vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Brown’s comments arrived days after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran on February 28, an operation dubbed “Epic Fury” by the Pentagon. The strikes marked a significant escalation in the Middle East, with over 1,000 targets hit within the first 24 hours.
Brown made his position clear in a pair of posts on X, writing:
“I voted for trump last election. Specifically because of the no new wars part. No other reason at all. That’s why this upsets me. I take the blame for putting trust in any single one of these dirtbags.”
He followed up with a second post:
“I think I relate to a lot of people out there that don’t want to talk a lot about politics and govt but goddammit these crooked fucks are out there covering each others asses about Epstein island and now back to killing middle eastern people for no reason. Fuck this govt.”
Brown’s frustration touches on two issues that have rattled the Trump coalition in recent months: the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the decision to launch military operations in Iran. The Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law in late 2025, but the Justice Department’s releases were heavily redacted, drawing criticism from both Democrats and some Trump supporters.
The Iran strikes, meanwhile, prompted rare public dissent from Trump allies, with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the military action “America Last” and saying it felt like “the worst betrayal.”
Brown Joins Growing List of Disillusioned UFC Figures
Brown is far from the only UFC fighter to distance himself from the current administration. Sean Strickland turned down a White House invite for the planned UFC event in 2026, citing the Epstein controversy and saying, “Just to go out with the f—ing Epstein list? I’m good, dude.” Bryce Mitchell, who once said he’d “take a bullet” for Trump, renounced his support in October 2025, calling the president “the Antichrist” and saying, “He talked a good game. He tricked me. I was fooled. I admit it.”
Who Is Matt Brown?
Brown built one of the more compelling stories in MMA history. Before fighting, he battled addiction to meth, cocaine, and heroin, surviving an overdose that earned him his nickname “The Immortal.” He entered his first fight on a few hours’ notice during a cocaine-fueled trip to watch a friend compete, bought a mouthpiece from across the street, and won.
He joined the UFC through Season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2008 and went on to compete in 30 octagon bouts over 16 years. Brown retired in May 2024 with a professional record of 24-19, holding the second-most knockouts in UFC history with 13, trailing only Derrick Lewis. He earned nine post-fight bonuses, the second-most in UFC welterweight history, and was considered one of the best fighters never to compete for a title.
A Pattern of Buyer’s Remorse
Brown’s comments show a sentiment building among voters who backed Trump on anti-war grounds. Trump campaigned on keeping the U.S. out of new conflicts, but the launch of Operation Epic Fury, which saw over 100 aircraft deployed in coordinated strikes with Israel and resulted in American casualties, contradicted that promise for many supporters. Allies close to the White House have acknowledged the political risk, with Trump’s political operation moving quickly to contain dissent within his own base.
Brown, who now runs Immortal Martial Arts Center in Ohio and his own coffee line, Immortal Coffee, has been vocal on fighter advocacy issues since retiring. His political comments mark a shift for a fighter who historically avoided wading into partisan territory, which is perhaps why his self-described frustration, voting on a single issue and feeling burned, may resonate with a particular slice of disillusioned voters.
