US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief executive Dana White to take over as White House press secretary, following the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections.
Trump’s unusual proposal, announced on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, comes amid a vacancy in the White House communications office and a shake-up in the president’s political team after Republicans lost their congressional majorities.
“Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other,” Trump wrote. “Dana, please take the job!”
White, a longtime Trump ally, has not confirmed his willingness to accept the position but said he would meet with the president in Washington on Monday.
“I got a lot of jobs already,” he told reporters after a UFC event in London, adding that the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss the proposal.
The UFC boss also posted a photograph of himself behind the lectern in the White House press briefing room, accompanied by the caption, “On to the next chapter,” fuelling speculation about the possibility of a move into politics.
However, CNN, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that White had declined the offer.
Trump’s proposal included a suggestion that White bring several prominent UFC fighters into the White House communications team, describing them as fighters and warriors who could defend his administration against what he called the “Lunatic Left.”
The president also praised White’s combative personality, which has frequently been on display during confrontations with journalists covering the UFC.
White’s possible appointment would mark a dramatic transition from sports promotion to one of the most demanding communications positions in American politics.
The White House press secretary serves as the administration’s principal public spokesperson, regularly facing journalists on policy decisions, political controversies and presidential actions.
The office has been vacant since Katie Zacharia resigned less than five days after taking the position in mid-October.
White, who already oversees UFC, Power Slap and the newly launched Zuffa Boxing, also sits on the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
His close relationship with Trump dates back to 2001, when the president, then a businessman, hosted UFC events at his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City at a time when the sport struggled to secure venues.
White has since become a prominent supporter of Trump, speaking at Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024 and appearing on stage during the president’s 2024 election victory speech.
The BBC reported that White’s response to the public offer remained uncertain, with the UFC chief executive expected to meet Trump on Monday.
