Dana White is reportedly due to meet Donald Trump at the White House next week to discuss the possibility of becoming the president’s next press secretary, despite a separate report saying the UFC chief has already rejected the offer.
The 57-year-old promoter is expected to meet Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, according to TMZ, which cited sources familiar with the plans.
However, CNN reported on Saturday that White had already turned down the position, citing a source with knowledge of the discussions.
The contradictory reports surfaced only hours after Trump publicly urged his longtime friend and political ally to accept the role, even floating the idea of White bringing UFC fighters with him to confront what the president called the ‘Lunatic Left.’
It is not clear whether Trump’s unusual suggestion was intended as a genuine proposal. One White House aide told CNN that the president was joking.
The uncertainty comes as Trump searches for a new occupant of one of the administration’s most visible positions, following Katie Zacharia’s turbulent five-day run as press secretary and her dismissal after a single difficult briefing.
The role has become even more significant after Republicans suffered a heavy defeat in the midterm elections, giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and the authority to launch investigations into the administration.
White, who was in London on Saturday attending a boxing event, has not said publicly whether he plans to take the job.
Dana White has long been an ally of Donald Trump and helped him reach younger male voters during the 2024 presidential campaign
Trump announced the offer on Truth Social, encouraging White to accept and suggesting that several UFC fighters could serve as his assistants
Katie Zacharia was removed as White House press secretary after only five days, following a troubled first briefing
According to TMZ, the proposed Monday meeting was still expected to happen even though CNN reported that White had declined the offer.
Trump announced the possibility on Truth Social on Saturday, writing: ‘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.’
The president then suggested that White could assemble an unconventional team of mixed martial arts stars to work alongside him in Washington.
‘I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris,’ Trump wrote, apparently referring to UFC fighter Kayla Harrison with the final name.
‘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!’
The post immediately prompted speculation over whether Trump was making a serious appointment offer or simply joking with his close friend.
White appeared to embrace the moment, reposting Trump’s announcement on Instagram and sharing a photo of himself behind the White House briefing-room podium
Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, speaks to the media in London this weekend
Dana White watches from ringside during this weekend’s boxing event in London
White seemed happy to go along with the announcement, reposting Trump’s message on Instagram and uploading an image of himself behind the White House briefing-room podium.
‘On to the next chapter,’ he wrote beside the image, without clarifying whether he had accepted the offer or was simply joining the joke.
White House communications director Steven Cheung also endorsed the idea, sharing Trump’s post and adding: ‘Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!’
Trump’s interest in the UFC executive comes as the White House searches for a successor to Zacharia, whose brief and turbulent tenure ended last month.
She was dismissed after just five days, forcing the administration to quickly look for someone able to withstand the constant pressure of the Washington press corps.
Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, held the position for around 18 months before leaving in August to devote more time to her young family. She later became a contributor for Fox News.
The search has included a number of unexpected possibilities, including reports that White House staffers considered rapper Nicki Minaj for the post shortly before the midterm elections.
White, meanwhile, has spent years cultivating one of Trump’s strongest personal relationships outside the political world.
The search has included surprising names, with White House staffers reportedly mentioning rapper Nicki Minaj as a possible candidate shortly before the midterm elections
White has developed one of Trump’s closest relationships beyond politics. The pair are pictured at the ‘UFC Freedom 250’ MMA event on the White House South Lawn in June
The shake-up at the top of the administration continued on Friday when Trump removed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles
The UFC boss has spoken at the past three Republican National Conventions and helped Trump connect with younger male voters during his successful 2024 campaign.
Trump has previously said that White introduced him to a generation of voters he had not encountered before.
‘He introduced me to people I never heard of, young kids,’ the president said earlier this year.
‘I mean, I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids. I’m saying, “Where the hell did you meet these people?” They’re called influencers.’
Their partnership reached a new level in June, when Trump hosted a UFC event on the White House lawn as part of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
But Trump’s efforts to preserve his support among young men took a hit in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with that group moving toward the Democrats.
The latest changes have extended to the highest levels of the Trump administration.
On Friday, Trump dismissed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles and said hardline adviser Stephen Miller would take over the role starting Monday.
‘I’ll be doing maybe a few changes,’ Trump told CBS News on Friday.
