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Dana White Reportedly Turns Down Trump’s Offer to Be White House Press Secretary

Editorial illustration of an empty press briefing podium with fight gloves resting on it beside a glowing octagon cage under a spotlight

The White House briefing room almost got its most unexpected occupant yet. On Saturday, November 7, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered the job of press secretary to UFC CEO Dana White. Within hours, CNN reported that White had turned it down, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The episode, part serious and part spectacle, lit up social media on a busy Saturday and put a fresh spotlight on one of the most visible jobs in the administration, which has now been open for weeks.

Trump’s Truth Social pitch

“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, according to CNN and CNBC. He added: “Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”

The president also said he wanted White to bring “assistants,” naming several current and former UFC stars, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison (written as “Kayla Harris” in the post), as reported by Fox News’ OutKick and PennLive. Trump acknowledged that some of them “are not from our Country.” White House communications director Steven Cheung reposted the message with the comment, “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”

White’s podium photo, then a reported no

White first appeared to play along. He posted an image of himself behind the press secretary’s lectern to his Instagram story with the caption “On to the next chapter,” followed by a screenshot of Trump’s post, according to CNBC and USA Today. Some outlets noted the podium image appeared to be digitally created.

CNN then reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that White had declined the offer. One aide told CNN that Trump was joking. As of Saturday evening, neither White nor the White House had publicly confirmed whether the offer was serious, and CNN said it had reached out to both the White House and the UFC for comment.

A press secretary job that’s been hard to fill

The offer comes amid a messy stretch for the role. Karoline Leavitt, who served as press secretary for about a year and a half, left in August, saying she wanted to spend more time with her young family, and recently joined Fox News as a contributor, CNN reported. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, lasted just five days in October after a single briefing, making hers the shortest stint in the job’s history. Trump said he suggested she step aside.

Trump has also publicly floated rapper Nicki Minaj as a possible pick in a podcast interview, CNBC reported. In late October, asked about a replacement, he told reporters, “We’re in no rush,” according to OutKick.

Why White, and why now

White has been one of Trump’s most visible allies for years. He has spoken at the last three Republican National Conventions and is credited with helping the GOP reach young male voters, CNN noted. The timing also matters politically: with Democrats having won control of Congress in this week’s midterms and pledging to investigate the administration, the White House podium is likely to become an even more important battleground.

What’s next

For now, the job remains open. White was expected to be in London this weekend for a Zuffa Boxing event, where reporters may ask him directly about the offer, according to Bloody Elbow. Whoever eventually takes the podium will face a newly empowered opposition in Congress and a press corps eager for regular briefings. We’ll update readers if White or the White House says more.