US President Donald Trump has publicly praised Mike Tyson, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, at a press conference at the White House in Washington. Trump described Tyson as 'Iron Mike' and stated that he has been a fan of his for a long time. The two have been friends for years, and Tyson visited Trump at the White House on Friday, 9 October 2026, just weeks ahead of the US midterm elections.
During the press conference, Mike Tyson predicted a victory for President Trump in the upcoming elections, scheduled for 3 November. Tyson was also invited to attend a rally in Syracuse, New York, and was offered the opportunity to travel with Trump to the event. The White House has released a photo of Tyson's visit, taken by the executive's communications director, Steven Cheung.
Mike Tyson, now 60 years old, is a regular visitor to the White House and has been involved in various activities with Trump's administration. In January 2026, he attended a screening of the film 'Melania' at the White House, and earlier in the year, he wrote a letter to the administration in support of cannabis reform, an area in which he is an entrepreneur.
Tyson is not the only sports figure to have appeared alongside President Trump in recent weeks. Former baseball player Roger Clemens was set to introduce Trump at a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on 7 October, while several NFL players, including Marlon Humphrey, accompanied Trump to a new naval construction announcement in Baltimore.
The White House has also hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on its grounds, which took place on 14 June 2026, marking Trump's 80th birthday. The event was held in a temporary 5,000-seat arena on the south lawn of the White House and was the first professional sports event of its kind to be held at the residence.
Donald Trump and Mike Tyson have a long-standing relationship, dating back to the 1980s. In June 1988, Trump hosted Tyson's fight against Michael Spinks in Atlantic City, which Tyson won in just 91 seconds. Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20 in 1986, solidified his status as a global star following the fight.
The connection between Trump and Tyson has endured over the years, with Tyson publicly endorsing Trump's presidential campaign in 2016. With his recent visit to the White House, Tyson has once again expressed his support for the president, who is seeking to maintain Republican control of Congress in the midterm elections.
Key points
- Mike Tyson voices support for Donald Trump ahead of US midterm elections
- Tyson and Trump have a long-standing relationship dating back to the 1980s
- The two have appeared together at various events, including a rally and a White House screening
