In a surprising move, United States President Donald Trump offered
Dana White the role of White House press secretary. However, White
seems to prefer staying
Ultimate Fighting Championship president than making a career
pivot into politics.
On Saturday, Trump took
to social media to ask White to accept the role of White House
press secretary. The White House has been looking for a press
secretary since mid-October, following the departure of Katie
Zacharia, who stepped in for Karoline Leavitt.
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„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. „I have requested that he bring
with him assistants, even though some are not from our country, of
Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel
Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris [sic]. 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!“
It’s not clear whether Trump offered the role earnestly or
facetiously, as the U.S. President stated White would be allowed to
bring some assistants, including former UFC lightweight champion
Khabib Nurmagomedov, former UFC two-division titleholder Daniel
Cormier, current UFC women’s bantamweight queen Kayla Harrison
(whom Trump’s post misspelled as “Kayla Harris”), and more.
While
CNN reported White refused the offer, the UFC president stated
he has a meeting with Trump on Monday. Speaking at a Zuffa Boxing
press conference, White told reporters he is in talks with Trump,
in an apparent reference to the press secretary role.
„I have a meeting on Monday. I’m flying to DC right now and I’m
sure we’ll have something to talk about after that,” White
stated.
Dana White says he is meeting with Trump on
Monday to talk about the Press Secretary position.
https://t.co/3gwZUmu9Ok— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman)
November 7, 2026
White and Trump’s professional relationship began when the tycoon
hosted UFC events at the Trump Taj Mahal and other Trump venues in
2001. White publicly endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020, backing him
in both campaigns. Most recently, Trump allowed the UFC to hold
an event at the White House headlined by the iconic clash
between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.