President Donald Trump has offered UFC chief Dana White the position of White House press secretary in an extraordinary development from Washington.
Trump described White as a “violent fighter and warrior” and said he wanted the UFC boss to lead presidential press briefings after the Republicans’ midterm setbacks and what he called a Democratic “bluenami.”
In a post shared on Truth Social, the president wrote: “I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States.
“I have requested that he bring assistants with him, even though some are not from our Country, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris[son].
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
White added to the speculation by posting an image of himself standing behind the White House press podium with the caption “on to the next chapter.” He also reposted Trump’s announcement to his Instagram Story.
It remains uncertain whether the UFC president, a prominent figure in Trump’s MAGA movement since the former president’s first administration, intends to accept the offer. The White House reportedly ended a call with Our News Outlet when a reporter sought clarification.
Trump currently has no press secretary after dismissing Katie Zacharia last month, just five days after she took the high-profile White House post.
Following what Trump viewed as a disastrous opening press conference and another widely criticized interview, Zacharia was removed from the position in October.
President Donald Trump attends the UFC 314 event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White
Dana White is seen with the president in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on February 20, 2020, ahead of a ‘Keep America Great’ rally
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Trump said he told Zacharia. “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider.”
Her time in office was even shorter than Anthony Scaramucci’s notorious 11-day stint as White House communications director in 2017. Earlier this year, Zacharia had lasted only six weeks as a communications adviser at the Department of Homeland Security.
Zacharia was appointed after Karoline Leavitt announced her departure in August. Leavitt had held the press secretary role since the start of Trump’s second administration.
Leavitt, recognized for her pointed exchanges and rapid-fire responses to the White House press corps, left to concentrate on motherhood after the birth of her daughter earlier this year.
White, whose wealth has been estimated at $500 million, has maintained a close friendship with Trump and hosted UFC 250 at the White House earlier this year.
Trump’s unusual proposal also named several UFC fighters as potential members of White’s team, including Russian stars Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The relationship between Trump and White dates back decades. The first UFC event held under White’s leadership took place at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City in 2001, an evening Trump later called “the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen.”
It’s unclear if the UFC boss, who has been a staple figure in the MAGA world since Trump’s first administration, will take up the role. The White House hung up on Our News Outlet reporter who asked for clarity on the matter
White, who is worth a reported $500 million, is close friends with Trump
White speaks during an election night event for Republican presidential nominee Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach
The friends shake hands at a Keep America Great rally on February 20, 2020
Trump later invited White to address the 2016 Republican National Convention, where he ultimately secured the party’s presidential nomination for the first time. Despite advice from people close to him to decline, White accepted the invitation and took the stage.
White had been among Trump’s most outspoken supporters during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Everybody said, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t do it,’” White told TIME earlier this year.
“It was about more than simply, ‘You don’t want to get involved in politics.’ The bigger argument was, ‘He’s never going to win.’ And I thought, ‘Whether he wins or not, he’s been a good friend to me.’”
Trump, who was also interviewed for the article, praised White as “a very good speaker” and an inspirational presence, adding that many successful people struggle to communicate effectively.
After the January 6, 2021, attack, when many companies and celebrities moved to distance themselves from Trump, White remained loyal.
Rather than remove Trump from UFC promotional material, White continued escorting him into arenas, making the former president’s presence highly visible when doing so carried considerable political significance.
Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was ousted from the position in just under a week. The ordeal happened weeks out from the midterms – which ended up being a disaster for the GOP
Trump is currently without a press secretary after he got rid of Zacharia last month
Leavitt, known for her sharp tongue and quick answers to the fiery White House press corps, stepped down to focus on being a mother after welcoming her daughter to the world earlier this year
White was also credited with helping Trump broaden his reach during the 2024 campaign. He said he believed Trump could not win if he remained confined to Fox News.
To reach younger voters, White connected Trump with podcasters and online influencers, introducing him to audiences that helped propel his return to the White House.
Trump subsequently appeared on programs hosted by the Nelk Boys, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan’s “Bussin’ with the Boys,” Adin Ross, Theo Von and, most notably, Joe Rogan.
Asked about White’s impact on Trump’s campaign against Kamala Harris, White said his contribution had been “very important,” explaining that he introduced Trump to young figures the president had never encountered.
“I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids,” White recalled. “I kept asking, ‘Where did you meet these people?’ They’re called influencers.
“I ended up getting to know some of them. They’re good kids, they have huge audiences, and every bit of that helps.”
