Dana White has addressed reports that Donald Trump offered him the role of White House press secretary, confirming that he is traveling to Washington, DC, immediately and plans to meet the president in person on Monday.
Asked about the surprising proposal by a reporter in London on Saturday, the UFC chief laughed before replying: “I’m flying to Washington, DC, right now.”
White, 57, would not say whether he had already spoken with Trump about the position, but he confirmed that he would meet his longtime friend at the White House.
“I’m sure we’ll have more to talk about after that,” he added, leaving open the possibility that he could become the administration’s next top spokesperson.
His remarks follow a series of conflicting reports over whether White is genuinely considering the job or has already declined Trump’s offer.
TMZ reported that White was scheduled to meet Trump in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss the position, citing sources familiar with the plans.
By contrast, CNN said a source familiar with the situation claimed White had already rejected the unconventional offer. A White House aide also suggested that Trump may have been joking.
White’s confirmation that he is heading to Washington has added fresh intrigue, although he has still not said whether he plans to accept the press secretary role.
Dana White has responded to reports that Donald Trump offered him the White House press secretary position, saying he is flying to Washington, DC, for a face-to-face meeting with the president on Monday
Dana White has maintained a close alliance with Donald Trump and helped him reach younger male voters during the 2024 campaign
Trump announced the offer on Truth Social, encouraging White to take the job and suggesting he bring several UFC stars to serve as assistants
The conflicting reports emerged just hours after Trump publicly urged his longtime friend and political ally to accept the post, even proposing that White bring a group of UFC fighters to help confront the “Lunatic Left.”
It remains uncertain how seriously Trump intended the unusual offer, with one White House aide telling CNN that the president was joking.
The episode comes as Trump seeks a replacement for one of the administration’s most visible positions after Katie Zacharia’s troubled five-day spell as press secretary ended following a single contentious briefing.
The job has become even more prominent after Republicans suffered a heavy defeat in the midterm elections, giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and the ability to investigate the administration.
White was in London on Saturday for a boxing event and has not publicly confirmed whether he is interested in taking the position.
Katie Zacharia was removed as White House press secretary after only five days, following a difficult debut briefing
TMZ said the planned Monday meeting was expected to go ahead, despite CNN’s report that White had already turned down the offer.
Trump announced the proposal on Truth Social on Saturday, writing: “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.”
The president then suggested that White could recruit a highly unusual lineup of mixed martial arts stars to work alongside him in Washington.
“I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris,” Trump wrote, apparently referring to UFC fighter Kayla Harrison with the final name.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
The post quickly prompted speculation over whether Trump was making a serious employment offer or simply sharing a joke with one of his closest friends.
White appeared to embrace the moment, reposting Trump’s announcement on Instagram and uploading an image of himself behind the White House briefing-room podium
Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, speaks to reporters in London this weekend
Dana White watches from ringside during this weekend’s boxing event in London
White appeared happy to play along, sharing Trump’s announcement on Instagram as well as a picture of himself standing behind the White House briefing-room podium.
“On to the next chapter,” he wrote beside the image, without clarifying whether he was accepting the position or participating in the apparent joke.
White House communications director Steven Cheung also welcomed the idea, reposting Trump’s message with the response: “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”
Trump’s interest in White comes during a turbulent search for a successor to Zacharia, whose remarkably short tenure ended last month.
She was dismissed after five days, leaving the White House looking for someone prepared to face the constant pressure of the Washington press corps.
Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, spent about 18 months in the role before leaving in August to devote more time to her young family. She later became a contributor for Fox News.
The search has already included several unexpected possibilities. White House staffers were reportedly even considering rapper Nicki Minaj as a potential candidate shortly before the midterm elections.
White, meanwhile, has spent years developing one of Trump’s strongest relationships beyond the political world.
The search has included some surprising names, with White House staffers reportedly mentioning rapper Nicki Minaj as a possible candidate before the midterm elections
White has built one of Trump’s closest relationships outside politics. The pair are pictured at the “UFC Freedom 250” MMA event on the White House South Lawn in June
The shake-up at the White House has extended to the top of Trump’s administration. On Friday, he removed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles, left
The UFC president has addressed the last three Republican National Conventions and played an important role in helping Trump connect with younger male voters during his successful 2024 campaign.
Trump has previously credited White with introducing him to a new generation of voters.
“He introduced me to people I never heard of, young kids,” the president said earlier this year.
“I mean, I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids. I’m saying, ‘Where the hell did you meet these people?’ They’re called influencers.”
Their relationship took another step forward in June, when Trump hosted a UFC event on the White House lawn during celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
However, Trump’s efforts to retain his support among young men suffered a setback in Tuesday’s midterm elections, as that demographic moved toward the Democrats.
The latest personnel upheaval has also reached the highest levels of the Trump administration.
On Friday, the president removed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles and announced that hardline adviser Stephen Miller would take over the role beginning Monday.
“I’ll be doing maybe a few changes,” Trump told CBS News on Friday.