A day after President Donald Trump offered UFC CEO Dana White the position of president secretary, Trump says he was “only kidding.”
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Nov. 7.
The UFC president and CEO shared an image of himself at the White House press briefing room podium on his Instagram story with the caption, “On to the next chapter.” During a Zuffa Boxing press conference, White said he was flying to D.C. to meet with the president.
While speaking to the media on Sunday, Trump said White “loved the idea,” but said the pitch was just a joke.
🚨 President Trump says he was joking about offering Dana White the White House press secretary position
“Of course I was kidding. But Dana’s actually coming tomorrow, for other reasons.” pic.twitter.com/1YFYwaT1KG— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 9, 2026
Trump and White have shared a friendship for more than two decades. Trump’s properties hosted UFC events in the early 2000s and the two have remained close ever since. White spoke at the 2016 and 2024 Republican National Convention and on Trump’s behalf at campaign events. Trump, an avid fight fan, has attended several UFC events. In June, on Trump’s 80th birthday, the UFC Freedom 250 event took place on the White House lawn.
The White House press secretary position has been vacant since Katie Zacharia left after five days in October. She replaced Karoline Leavitt who vacated the role in August to spend more time with her family after the birth of her second child.
