Donald Trump has offered the vacant White House press secretary role to Dana White, the chief executive of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), although it remains unclear whether he has accepted.
Announcing the move in a Truth Social post, the US president described White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and said: “Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
Mr Trump also suggested that Mr White bring several fighters and former fighters with him as assistants, naming Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harris.
White later shared an image of himself at the podium in the White House briefing room on Instagram, accompanied by the caption: “On to the next chapter.” However, reports suggested Mr Trump’s post may have been made tongue-in-cheek.
The White House press secretary role
The position has been vacant since October 16, when conservative commentator Katie Zacharia was removed after five days in the job. She had been chosen after Karoline Leavitt stepped aside in August, saying she wanted to spend more time with her young family.
The announcement came days after Democrats swept the midterm elections, taking control of both the House and the Senate.
White has been a long-standing supporter of Mr Trump and attended his inauguration. The White House also hosted a UFC event on the South Lawn in July to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, coinciding with the president’s 80th birthday.
