Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), officially declined President Donald Trump’s offer to serve as White House press secretary during a joint press briefing at the White House on November 9, 2024.
Trump had publicly floated the idea on social media and in person, calling White a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and suggesting he would “do a hell of a job.” However, White responded to the offer by stating, “I do not want to be in politics.” Trump later called the offer a joke, saying he was “only kidding” when he initially announced it on Truth Social on November 7.
White’s refusal comes amid a prolonged vacancy in the White House press secretary role, which has seen two short-term appointees in recent months. Karoline Leavitt served from 2023 until August 2024, followed by Katie Zacharia, who resigned after five days in October 2024.
White’s Rejection and the Press Briefing
White joined Trump at the White House podium on November 9, where the president asked him directly whether he would accept the position. White responded, “Thank you for the offer, sir. I do not want to be in politics.” Trump replied, “I am devastated to hear this,” before ending the briefing.
During the briefing, White and Trump fielded questions on topics including the midterm elections, the war in Iran, and controversies involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. White also joked about his UFC background, telling reporters that Trump is “the toughest, most resilient human being that I’ve ever met in my entire life.”
Trump later explained that his initial offer was made during “a very bad press day” and that he was “sort of kidding.” He added that the idea gained traction after media outlets reported it as a serious proposal, prompting White’s visit to Washington.
Background: The Vacancy and White’s Relationship with Trump
The White House press secretary role has been vacant since August 2024, when Karoline Leavitt left to focus on parenthood. Katie Zacharia, who succeeded Leavitt, resigned after just five days in the position.
White and Trump have maintained a decades-long friendship, dating back to the early 2000s when Trump’s Atlantic City casinos hosted UFC events. White has previously supported Trump politically and has been a vocal advocate for his policies.
Trump’s initial offer on Truth Social included a playful suggestion that White bring six MMA fighters as assistants, including athletes from Russia and Brazil, to “defend us against the Lunatic Left.” White later posted a staged photo of himself at the White House press podium with the caption, “On to the next chapter.” However, he clarified that he was not committing to the role and would meet with Trump to discuss it further.
Reactions and Speculation Following the Offer
The announcement sparked widespread speculation about White’s potential appointment, with some outlets suggesting it reflected Trump’s desire for a more combative press strategy following Republican midterm election losses. Others framed it as a lighthearted moment given Trump’s admission that the offer was a joke.
Prediction markets, including Kalshi and Polymarket, saw shifts in speculation about the next press secretary, with Danielle Alvarez, a former Trump campaign adviser, emerging as a leading candidate in online betting markets.
White himself downplayed the idea, stating that he “has a lot of jobs already” and that the meeting with Trump was simply part of their ongoing discussions. He reiterated that he has no political aspirations and does not intend to pursue a government role.
Timeline of Key Events
- November 7, 2024: Trump posts on Truth Social that he has offered the White House press secretary job to Dana White.
- November 8, 2024: Trump clarifies that the offer was a joke, saying he was “only kidding.”
- November 9, 2024: White joins Trump at the White House for a press briefing, where he officially declines the offer.
- August 2024: Karoline Leavitt resigns as press secretary.
- October 2024: Katie Zacharia resigns after five days in the role.