President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had offered UFC CEO Dana White the job of White House press secretary. In the post, Trump also suggested a group of mixed martial arts fighters could help defend his administration from political opponents.
White later posted an Instagram Story showing himself at the White House press podium, captioned “On to the next chapter.” He also shared Trump’s announcement. Neither post confirmed that White had accepted, and it remained unclear whether Trump was making a serious offer.
Trump’s Nov. 7 post included a collage and a list of potential assistants. “We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” he wrote, before adding, “Dana, please take the job!”
The names included Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes. Trump noted that some were not American. He also listed “Kayla Harris,” apparently referring to UFC fighter and two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison.
The proposal comes during a period of staffing changes at the White House. Katie Zacharia was leaving the press secretary role after a brief tenure. Trump had selected her on Oct. 9 to replace Karoline Leavitt, who departed in August. When asked on Oct. 23 about finding another press secretary, Trump said, “No, nothing much. We’re in no rush.”
On Friday, the White House announced that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Trump’s appeal to White the following day, however, left the press secretary question open.
White and Trump have known each other for decades. Trump supported the UFC as it worked to establish itself and hosted events in Atlantic City as early as 2001. White later became a visible backer of Trump’s presidential campaigns and spoke at his 2024 election-night celebration.
White also introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, recalling their longstanding friendship and praising Trump’s resilience. During Trump’s second term, the president attended UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn on June 14, 2026. Photographs from the event showed the two walking through the White House together.
White has previously said he had no interest in pursuing a political role. In November 2024, when asked about a possible position in Trump’s incoming administration, he said, “I have no personal political aspirations.” That was two years before Trump’s latest post, and White has not publicly clarified whether he would consider this offer.
