President Donald Trump has offered UFC chief Dana White the job of White House press secretary in an extraordinary twist in Washington.
Trump described White as a “violent fighter and warrior” and said he wanted the UFC executive to lead presidential briefings after the turbulence of the midterms and what he called the Democrats’ “bluenami.”
In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote: “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.
“I have requested that he bring assistants with him, even though some are not from our country: 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. Dana will be a press secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
White later shared an image of himself standing behind the White House press podium, captioned “on to the next chapter,” and reposted Trump’s message to his Instagram Story.
It remains unclear whether the UFC boss, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement since Trump’s first administration, will accept the offer. The White House ended a call with a Daily Mail reporter who sought clarification.
Trump is currently without a press secretary after removing Katie Zacharia from the role last month, just five days after she took the coveted position.
The president decided to dismiss the MAGA loyalist after what was described as a disastrous debut press conference and another widely criticized interview. Zacharia was removed in October.
President Donald Trump attends the UFC 314 event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White
Dana White is seen with the president in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on February 20, 2020, ahead of a “Keep America Great” rally
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Trump said he told Zacharia. “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider.”
Her time in the position was even shorter than Anthony Scaramucci’s famously brief 11-day stint as White House communications director in 2017. Earlier this year, Zacharia had lasted only six weeks as a communications adviser at the Department of Homeland Security.
Zacharia was appointed press secretary after Karoline Leavitt announced her departure in August. Leavitt had held the job since the start of Trump’s second administration.
Leavitt, known for her combative exchanges and rapid-fire responses to the White House press corps, stepped down to focus on motherhood after welcoming her daughter earlier this year.
White, whose fortune is estimated at $500 million, has been a close ally of Trump for years. Earlier this year, he staged UFC 250 at the White House.
Trump’s unusual offer also named several UFC fighters as potential members of White’s team, including Russian stars Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The relationship between Trump and White dates back decades. The first UFC event held during White’s leadership took place at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City in 2001, an occasion Trump later called “the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen.”
White, who is worth a reported $500 million, is close friends with Trump
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White speaks during an election night event for Republican presidential nominee Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach
The friends shake hands at a Keep America Great rally on February 20, 2020
Trump later invited White to address the 2016 Republican National Convention, where he ultimately secured the party’s presidential nomination. Despite advice from people around him to decline, White accepted and took the stage.
During Trump’s first presidential campaign, White became one of his most outspoken supporters.
“Everybody said, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t do it,’” White told TIME earlier this year.
“It was about more than ‘You don’t want to get into politics.’ The bigger concern was, ‘He’s never going to win.’ And I was like, ‘Well, whether he wins or not, the guy’s been a good friend to me.’”
Trump was also interviewed for the article and praised White’s public speaking skills. “He’s a very good speaker, very inspirational-type speaker,” Trump said. “I know guys who are successful; they can’t speak.”
White continued to stand by Trump after January 6, 2021, when many corporations and celebrities publicly distanced themselves from the former president.
Rather than remove Trump from UFC promotional material, White continued bringing him into arenas and keeping him visible at a time when such support carried clear political significance.
Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was ousted from the position in just under a week. The ordeal happened weeks out from the midterms – which ended up being a disaster for the GOP
Trump is currently without a press secretary after he got rid of Zacharia last month
Leavitt, known for her sharp tongue and quick answers to the fiery White House press corps, stepped down to focus on being a mother after welcoming her daughter to the world earlier this year
White also played a significant role in Trump’s successful 2024 campaign. He said he believed Trump could not win if he remained limited to appearances on Fox News.
To reach younger voters, White connected Trump with podcasters and online influencers, helping introduce him to audiences that had not traditionally engaged with presidential politics.
Trump subsequently appeared on programs hosted by the Nelk Boys, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of “Bussin’ with the Boys,” Adin Ross, Theo Von and, most notably, Joe Rogan.
Asked how important White was to Trump’s campaign against Kamala Harris, White replied: “Very important. He introduced me to people I’d never heard of, young kids.
“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.
“But I did a lot. I became friendly with some of them. They’re nice kids, they have a big audience, and everything helps.”