Donald Trump has publicly offered Dana White, the president and chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the job of White House press secretary.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump described Mr White as a “violent fighter and warrior” and suggested he bring mixed martial artists from around the world, including Russian fighter Islam Makhacev, to serve as assistants.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” Mr Trump wrote. “Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
It was unclear whether the president was making a genuine offer or joking. His post included a mock-up showing Mr White in a suit behind a podium, alongside images of several MMA fighters.
Mr Trump and Mr White are friends, and the president hosted a UFC event at the White House in June as part of official celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
The intervention came as the White House faces an expected period of political confrontation after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in last week’s midterm elections.
The press secretary’s position has effectively been vacant since Karoline Leavitt went on maternity leave in April. Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in intermittently before Ms Leavitt briefly returned in July and resigned in August.
Last month, media commentator Katie Zacharia spent five days in the role before being forced out after an unimpressive first performance in which she stumbled through a prepared script and took few questions.
Mr Trump also replaced White House chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller a day before offering the UFC chief the communications post.
