President Donald Trump took to social media on Saturday with an unusual proposal. He publicly offered the job of White House press secretary to his longtime friend, Ultimate Fighting Championship boss Dana White.
Writing from his golf club in Florida, Trump praised the mixed martial arts promoter as a fierce warrior. He urged White to take the podium to handle reporters in Washington.
Trump also asked White to bring along several famous UFC fighters as assistants. He named champions such as Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harrison.
In his post, Trump wrote that these fighters would help defend his administration against political opponents. He concluded the message with a direct plea, urging White to accept the position immediately.
White Teases 'Next Chapter' Online
White responded within hours on his personal social media accounts. He posted a photo showing himself standing behind the official lectern in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
Over the image, White added the caption, "On to the next chapter." He followed that update with a screenshot of Trump's public statement.
Despite White's online posts, neither he nor the UFC have issued a formal statement. Representatives for TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, did not immediately comment on whether White intends to leave combat sports for government service.
White has led the UFC for more than two decades. During that time, he built the promotion into a multi-billion-dollar global sports powerhouse.
Unanswered Questions Over White House Role
The public invitation comes at a time of transition for the White House press team. The press secretary office became vacant in mid-October following the quick departure of Katie Zacharia.
Zacharia left after holding only one televised briefing. Before her brief tenure, Karoline Leavitt served as Trump’s primary spokesperson.
It remains unclear whether Trump's post was an official job offer or lighthearted commentary. The administration has not submitted any formal personnel paperwork, and White House spokespersons did not immediately confirm the development.
White has built a reputation for combative news conferences in sports. He often spars directly with journalists, making him a provocative figure for a formal government press office.
A Decades-Long Political Alliance
Trump and White share a close personal and professional friendship that spans nearly twenty-five years. Their alliance began in 2001, when Trump hosted early UFC events at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City when other venues refused.
White has remained a loyal political ally ever since. He delivered prime-time speeches supporting Trump at Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Earlier this year, the UFC held an exhibition fight on the South Lawn of the White House. The event marked Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
For now, observers in Washington and Las Vegas are waiting to see what happens next. Whether White actually trades the Octagon for the White House podium remains an open question.
