Dana White declines Trump's offer to become White House press secretary: Report
Trump offered UFC chief the role on Truth Social, suggesting six UFC fighters serve as assistants; White turned it down amid administration uncertainty.
Quick Look
- President Donald Trump offered UFC chief Dana White the White House press secretary role on Truth Social, describing him as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and suggesting six UFC fighters as assistants.
- White declined the offer, leaving the administration without a permanent press secretary since Karoline Leavitt left at the end of August.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The White House has been without a permanent press secretary since Karoline Leavitt left the position at the end of August. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, lasted just five days in the role after an uncomfortable appearance before reporters. The development comes after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress.
President Donald Trump’s unusual offer to appoint Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief Dana White as White House press secretary has been declined, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. Trump announced on Saturday that he had offered White the position, describing him as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” in a post on his Truth Social platform. However, despite the public appeal, White has turned down the offer, leaving Trump without a permanent chief spokesperson.
“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,” Trump wrote. The US president also asked White to bring along six UFC fighters as “assistants”, sharing their photographs in the post. He suggested that they would help defend his administration against political opponents. “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!” Trump added.
White, who is a close friend of Trump, was in London on Saturday attending a boxing event when he was asked about the announcement. He said he planned to travel to Washington and meet the president at the White House on Monday. When questioned about how he would manage the potential responsibilities alongside his existing roles in the fighting industry, White appeared taken aback before responding, “Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already.” He declined to disclose details of his conversations with Trump, adding, “I'm sure I'll have more to talk about after that.”
Before the news conference, White had also shared Trump's post on Instagram, alongside an image of himself standing behind the podium in the White House briefing room, with the caption “On to the next chapter.”
Trump's announcement came amid a period of uncertainty within his administration. The White House has been without a permanent press secretary since Karoline Leavitt left the position at the end of August. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, lasted just five days in the role after an uncomfortable appearance before reporters. The latest development also comes after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Trump will appoint a new permanent White House press secretary
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Who will be appointed as the next permanent White House press secretary?
- What were the specifics of Trump's conversations with Dana White?
- Will Dana White attend the planned Monday meeting at the White House?
