President Donald Trump stated Sunday that his social media announcement offering UFC President and CEO Dana White the position of White House press secretary was a joke. Trump indicated that the inclusion of several fighters on the proposed staff should have made it clear the offer was not serious.
"I will tell you, I was only kidding," Trump said when asked about the announcement. He added that the fighters he named for the staff came from "parts unknown," further suggesting the jest.
Trump confirmed White is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday, though he explained it was for other reasons and that White had already planned to be in Washington. Trump described White as a "very capable guy" and suggested the UFC president would handle the press secretary role effectively.
The clarification came after Trump posted on Truth Social that he had offered White the job and listed UFC stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes as potential assistants. Trump urged White in the post, "Dana, please take the job!"
White had shared Trump's post on his Instagram Story with a photo of himself behind the White House podium, captioned, "On to the next chapter."
Trump and White have a long-standing relationship, dating back to when Trump hosted UFC fights at his Atlantic City properties. White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention and appeared with him on the White House South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250 in June.
White had previously told Sports Business Journal in November 2024 that he had "no personal political aspirations" when questioned about a potential role in Trump's administration. The situation arose weeks after the departure of Katie Zacharia from the press secretary role, following Karoline Leavitt's exit in August.