President Donald Trump has offered the position of White House press secretary to his longtime friend and supporter, UFC CEO Dana White. The surprising announcement came through a social media post on Saturday while Trump was at his golf club in Florida.
White, who is 57, responded later that day in London. He confirmed he would travel to Washington DC to meet the president but shared no other details. Speaking at a post fight news conference after the Zuffa Boxing 12 event, White said, “I’ve got a lot of jobs already. We have a meeting on Monday, so I’m sure I’ll have more to talk about after that.”
He also shared an Instagram story showing himself standing at the White House press briefing podium with the caption “On to the next chapter.” Earlier reports from CNN suggested White planned to turn down the offer, though he has not publicly confirmed any final decision.
The press secretary post has been empty since Katie Zacharia was removed in October after serving only five days. Before her, Karoline Leavitt held the role until she stepped down in August following the birth of her second child.
In his Truth Social post, Trump described White as “the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior” and said he had offered him the job of Press Secretary of the United States. Trump even joked that White should bring several top UFC athletes as assistants, naming Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison. He claimed these fighters would help “defend us against the Lunatic Left” and called White a press secretary “like none other.”
Trump and White share a long history. Their professional connection dates back to 2001 when the Trump Taj Mahal casino hosted a UFC event. White has publicly supported Trump for years, speaking at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Trump regularly attends UFC events and even hosted a fight card on the White House South Lawn in June to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and his own 80th birthday.
The offer has drawn wide attention because of White’s high profile in combat sports and his close personal ties to the president. Whether he accepts the role or continues focusing on UFC remains unclear until after the Monday meeting in Washington.
