Donald Trump offers White House press secretary job to UFC head Dana White
Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has offered the vacant position of White House press secretary to Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White. The announcement follows a turbulent period for the administration’s communications team, marked by high turnover and short-lived appointments.
The role has been vacant since Katie Zacharia left the post after just five days in October, following a heavily criticized press conference. In his post, Trump urged the MMA executive to accept the position, writing, “Dana, please take the job!”
CNN reports UFC chief declines White House press secretary offer
Hours after the public social media post, CNN reported that Dana White had declined the president’s offer, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the matter. The White House has so far not commented on the matter.
Trump’s post also included a request for White to bring along six mixed martial arts fighters as assistants, naming four men and two women, including two well-known Russian athletes. Trump wrote that the administration needed these individuals to defend against what he termed the “co-co-left,” in an apparent tongue-in-cheek proposal.
Longstanding ties between Trump and the MMA promoter
Trump and White share a decades-long relationship. In 2001, Trump assisted the fledgling MMA organization by hosting fights at his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City when other venues proved difficult to secure, as reported by The New Yorker.
White has maintained vocal support across Trump’s presidential campaigns and spoke at the Republican National Convention. Last summer, the administration organized UFC fights outside the White House to celebrate the president’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary under the banner UFC Freedom 250.
Financial considerations likely make the press secretary salary unnecessary for White. Forbes estimated his net worth at over 600 million dollars last year, following his role in the multi-billion-dollar sale of UFC to an investor group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who held the White House press secretary position before the vacancy?
Political commentator Katie Zacharia held the job for five days in October after succeeding Karoline Leavitt, before stepping down following a press conference.
What is Dana White’s primary business role?
White serves as the president of Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization, and is also involved in the Power Slap enterprise.
President Trump jokingly offered UFC CEO Dana White the role of White House Press Secretary, suggesting he bring several MMA fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, to help defend the administration against the “Lunatic Left.” He urged White… pic.twitter.com/IpX7pc7Xou
What did White’s net worth reach according to recent estimates?
Forbes estimated White’s personal fortune at over 600 million dollars following the sale of UFC to an investment group.
How did administration officials react publicly to the press secretary vacancy?
White House communications director Steven Cheung previously suggested rapper Nicki Minaj as a successor in a humorous video posted to X.
Earlier coverage: Trump Offers Press Secretary Role to UFC Chief Dana White
More on Dana White
US President Donald Trump says that he has offered UFC CEO Dana White the job of White House press secretary, naming several MMA fighters as potential assistants to defend against the “Lunatic Left.” pic.twitter.com/ZoIKkbHoTQ
Yes, it's legit. Trump posted on Truth Social today offering UFC CEO Dana White the White House Press Secretary job, calling him a "violent Fighter and Warrior" and urging him to take it (with some MMA fighters as "assistants"). Multiple outlets including BBC and Bloomberg…
Worth a look