UFC CEO Dana White has declined President Donald Trump’s offer to become White House press secretary, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The offer — and the reported no
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he offered the White House press secretary job to UFC chief executive Dana White. Hours later, a source familiar with the matter told CNN that White declined the idea.
CNN reporters Kaitlan Collins and Isabelle D’Antonio wrote that the network reached out to the White House and the UFC for comment. As of that report, neither White, the UFC, nor the White House had issued a public confirmation of the decline beyond the anonymous account.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, citing Reuters, also reported that White turned down the job. Italy’s ANSA said CNN sources indicated White rejected the offer.
What Trump posted
On Truth Social on Saturday afternoon, Trump wrote that he was “pleased to announce” White had been offered the press secretary post. He called White “a violent Fighter and Warrior” and asked him to bring “assistants,” naming several UFC fighters.
“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!” Trump added, according to CNN’s republish on KVIA.
White House communications director Steven Cheung reposted the message and urged, “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”
Was it a joke?
One aide told CNN that Trump was joking about the offer. The post still landed in a real vacancy. The White House has been searching for a new press secretary after Karoline Leavitt left the role and Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint ended. CNN noted Trump is personally invested in the hire — a need that grew sharper after Democrats won control of Congress.
Earlier signals — and what they were not
White earlier posted an Instagram story of himself at the briefing-room lectern with the caption “On to the next chapter.” That image was ambiguous. It did not amount to an acceptance, and White gave no public confirmation he would take the job before the decline report.
Quick timeline
- Saturday afternoon ET: Trump posts the Truth Social offer and names UFC “assistants.”
- Soon after: Cheung reposts and urges White to accept.
- Same day: A source familiar with the matter tells CNN that White declined; CNN seeks White House and UFC comment.
- Same day: NRK (citing Reuters) and ANSA report the decline.
Why it matters
The press secretary job remains open. Trump has struggled to fill a communications post he cares about, according to CNN. White has long been a visible Trump ally, including Republican National Convention appearances and help connecting Trump to younger male audiences. Whether the offer was serious or a joke, the reported decline leaves the lectern empty.
HISARAK earlier covered Trump’s offer. This piece tracks the reported rejection, still based on anonymous sourcing while official confirmation is pending.
Sources: KVIA / CNN; NRK (Reuters); ANSA; Trump on Truth Social (Nov. 7, 2026).
