Trump offers press secretary role to UFC chief Dana White
Dana White plans to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday after receiving an offer to become his chief spokesperson.
By Marina Weber ·
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had offered UFC chief Dana White the position of White House press secretary. White, a close friend of the president, confirmed plans for a Monday meeting at the White House but did not make clear whether he was seriously considering taking the job.
Trump announced the offer on social media while at his golf club in Florida. His post also asked White to bring several UFC fighters with him as assistants, casting them as defenders against his political opponents and urging White to accept the position.
Speaking at a news conference in London, where he was attending a boxing event Saturday, White said he would fly to Washington afterward. Asked how he could combine White House duties with his responsibilities in combat sports, he initially appeared confused before acknowledging that he already held several jobs. He declined to discuss his conversations with Trump and indicated he would have more to say after their meeting.
Before speaking to reporters, White posted an image of Trump's announcement on Instagram alongside a picture of himself at the podium in the White House press briefing room. Elsewhere during the news conference, he outlined plans to expand Zuffa Boxing, which he runs with Saudi Arabian backing, and stage more events internationally. Neither the White House nor a UFC spokesperson responded Saturday to inquiries about Trump's post.
The offer comes amid significant changes within the administration following Republican losses in Tuesday's midterm elections. Democratic victories, including in places Republicans had controlled for decades, cost the GOP its majorities in both chambers of Congress.
On Friday, Trump announced that aide Stephen Miller would replace longtime adviser Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Wiles had been viewed as a moderating influence on the president's impulses. Miller, a leading figure behind the administration's hard-line immigration policies, is among the most determined members of Trump's inner circle.
The administration also recently went through a short and turbulent stint with Katie Zacharia as press secretary. Zacharia appeared uncomfortable during her only appearance before reporters and departed after five days. The position had previously been vacant since Karoline Leavitt's departure at the end of August, and Trump currently has no chief spokesperson.
White and Trump have attended several UFC events together since the president returned to office in January 2025. In June, Trump hosted White and the sport on the White House South Lawn for celebrations marking America's 250th year of independence and his own 80th birthday. A wire-mesh Octagon stood near the executive mansion beneath a large metal arch equipped with lighting, sound equipment and screens. White has also addressed the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
