Donald Trump has offered UFC president Dana White the post of White House press secretary, in an unexpected proposal made as the administration faces the aftermath of the midterm elections.
Trump made the offer in a post on Truth Social, describing White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and urging him to take charge of the president’s briefings.
“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.
He added that he had asked White to bring several assistants, naming UFC figures including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harris[son].
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” Trump said. “Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
White appeared to acknowledge the proposal by posting an image of himself behind the White House press podium with the caption “on to the next chapter”. He also reposted Trump’s message on his Instagram Story.
It remains unclear whether the UFC boss will accept the role. The White House did not provide clarity when a reporter asked about the offer, ending the call.
Trump is currently without a press secretary after removing Katie Zacharia last month, following a tenure of just five days. She had been appointed after Karoline Leavitt resigned in August to focus on being a mother after the birth of her daughter.
Trump said he had advised Zacharia: “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Honestly if I were you I’d reconsider.”
Her time in the role was shorter than Anthony Scaramucci’s 11-day spell as White House communications director in 2017. Zacharia had previously spent six weeks as a communications adviser at Homeland Security earlier this year.
Dana White’s longstanding alliance with Trump
White has been a prominent ally of Trump since his first administration and is reported to be worth $500 million. The pair have maintained a close relationship for years, with the first UFC event under White’s leadership taking place at Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City in 2001.
Trump later invited White to speak at the Republican National Convention in 2016, despite advice from people around him not to accept. White went on stage and remained publicly supportive of Trump after the January 6, 2021 attack, when many companies and celebrities distanced themselves from the former president.
White also helped Trump reach younger audiences during his 2024 campaign by introducing him to podcasters and online influencers. Trump appeared on programmes featuring the Nelk Boys, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, Adin Ross, Theo Von and Joe Rogan.
Trump previously praised White as “a very good speaker, very inspirational-type speaker”, adding: “I know guys who are successful, they can’t speak.”
