WASHINGTON — UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Saturday that he will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss the president’s offer to make him White House press secretary.
Trump’s offer and White’s response
On Saturday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered the White House press secretary position to White, describing him as a "violent Fighter and Warrior." Trump also suggested White bring several UFC fighters, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harrison, as assistants. The president wrote, "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, who was in London for a boxing event, initially shared an image on Instagram showing himself behind the White House press briefing room podium with the caption, "On to the next chapter." He later addressed reporters, stating, "I'm flying to Washington, D.C., right now," and confirmed he would meet Trump in person on Monday. White did not explicitly accept or decline the offer but indicated the meeting would provide clarity.
Context and background
The White House has lacked a permanent press secretary since Katie Zacharia left the role on Oct. 16, following a five-day tenure. Zacharia’s departure followed that of Karoline Leavitt, who resigned in August. Trump also announced on Friday that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, amid broader staffing changes following Republican losses in the midterm elections.
Trump and White have maintained a long-standing relationship, with the president frequently attending UFC events and White publicly supporting Trump’s political campaigns. In June, the White House hosted a UFC event on its South Lawn to commemorate the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
Uncertainty and reactions
The White House has not issued an official response to Trump’s offer. While some reports, including from CNN, suggested White had declined the position, White’s confirmation of the meeting in Washington indicates the offer remains under consideration. White House communications director Steven Cheung publicly endorsed the idea, reposting Trump’s message with the comment, "Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!"
The position’s high turnover and the unusual nature of the offer have raised questions about the administration’s communication strategy. Trump’s post followed a broader critique of Democrats, accusing them of threatening political opponents with impeachment and legal action.
White, 57, has led the UFC since 2001 and has been a vocal ally of Trump, speaking at Republican conventions and celebrating Trump’s 2024 election victory. The UFC’s events, known for their high-profile fights, are broadcast globally, adding to the unusual nature of the proposed role.