US President Donald Trump has clarified that his suggestion to have UFC President Dana White serve as White House press secretary was made in jest. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said that White "loves the idea" but that the offer was "just a little fun."
The comments came after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that he had offered White the role, writing, "Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other." White later said he would meet with the president on Monday but remained coy about whether he would accept the position.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters that White was visiting him on Monday for "other reasons." He added, "I think he's going to be in Washington. So he's going to come over and see me. I will tell you, I was only kidding. But Dana loves the idea. And there's only one Dana. He's great."
Press Secretary Role Vacant Since October
The press secretary position has been empty since October, when Katie Zacharia resigned after less than a week on the job. She had succeeded Karoline Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in US history, who served from the start of Trump's second term.
Trump's playful offer to White followed a significant loss for the Republican Party in the midterm elections, where it lost its majority in both chambers of Congress. In his Saturday post, Trump said he was "pleased to announce" that White "has been offered the job." He also suggested that White bring along several current and former mixed martial arts fighters as "assistants," adding, "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left."
When asked about the offer at a news conference on Saturday, White, who heads UFC and PowerSlap, a regulated slap-fighting league, and recently launched Zuffa Boxing, said he already has "a lot of jobs." He added, "I'm sure we'll have something to talk about after that," referring to the planned Monday meeting, but did not confirm whether he would take the role.
White, who also serves on the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been a vocal supporter of Trump. He spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and appeared on stage for Trump's victory speech in the 2024 presidential election. This summer, UFC even staged a cage match on the White House lawn.
The lighthearted nature of Trump's offer underscores his unconventional approach to staffing and his close ties with figures from the sports and entertainment worlds. As the search for a permanent press secretary continues, it remains to be seen who will ultimately fill the high-profile role.
