President Trump says he has offered the White House press secretary job to UFC boss Dana White, but nobody at the White House has said whether the offer is real or whether White has taken it.
What Trump posted
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social early Saturday afternoon while at his golf club in Florida, according to AP. “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,” he wrote, as quoted by CNBC and The Hill.
He did not stop at one hire. Trump said he wanted White to bring six UFC fighters along as “assistants,” even though, in his words, “some are not from our Country.” The names he listed were:
- Islam Makhachev
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Justin Gaethje
- Daniel Cormier
- Amanda Nunes
- “Kayla Harris,” which outlets read as a likely reference to champion Kayla Harrison
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” Trump wrote. He closed with a direct appeal: “Dana, please take the job!”
How White responded
White has not said yes or no in public. Shortly after Trump’s post, he shared an Instagram story photo of himself behind the briefing room lectern with the caption “On to the next chapter,” according to CNBC and The Hill.
CNBC noted it was unclear whether White was accepting or playing along with the joke. AP reported that no one in the White House immediately confirmed the offer, and The Hill said the White House did not answer its request for comment. HISARAK found no public reaction from Democratic leaders as of Saturday afternoon.
Why the job is open
The press secretary is the president’s main spokesperson. The job includes leading the televised briefings from the White House podium.
The post has been unsettled for weeks:
- Earlier this year: Karoline Leavitt left the role, according to The Hill.
- October: Katie Zacharia replaced her but left after five days and one short briefing, CNBC reported. The Hill said she departed after reports that she had marketed herself as a lawyer without passing the bar.
- Friday, Nov. 6: Trump named Stephen Miller as his next chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles.
- Saturday, Nov. 7: Trump posts the offer to White.
Who is Dana White?
White runs the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is a longtime Trump ally who often appears at his events. In June, the two walked out of the White House together for a UFC fight held on the South Lawn, according to CNBC.
CNBC also pointed out a small detail in the post. Trump offered White the job of “Press Secretary of the United States,” but the official title is White House press secretary.
What comes next
For now, the offer exists only in Trump’s post and White’s Instagram story. Whether it turns into a real appointment will depend on what the White House and White say in the coming days.
Sources: Donald Trump on Truth Social; CNBC; The Hill; AP.
