UFC chief executive Dana White is expected to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss an offer to become the next White House press secretary. However, reports differ on whether White is interested in taking the job.
CNN, however, reported that a source familiar with the matter said White had declined the offer. White has not publicly confirmed whether he intends to accept it. The president also suggested that White bring several UFC fighters to Washington as assistants, naming Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison. White also spoke at the last three Republican National Conventions and helped bring Trump to a younger audience through UFC events. The White House has not publicly clarified whether Trump’s offer was a formal appointment proposal or whether the president was joking.
The UFC chief has known the president for years and supported his political campaigns, including the 2024 presidential race.
Trump announced the offer in a Truth Social post on Saturday, describing White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior”. Which cited sources with direct knowledge, the meeting is scheduled to take place in the Oval Office on Monday, according to TMZ. White’s reported meeting with Trump on Monday could provide more clarity, but he has not announced a decision.
Earlier reporting noted: President Donald Trump ’s unusual offer to appoint Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief Dana White as White House press secretary has been declined, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The press secretary is responsible for communicating the administration’s position to reporters and answering questions at regular White House briefings. White, who has led the UFC for years, has no established background in government or political communications. However, despite the public appeal, White has turned down the offer, leaving Trump without a permanent chief spokesperson. He suggested that they would help defend his administration against political opponents.
Earlier reporting noted: Trump announced on Saturday that he had offered White the position, describing him as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” in a post on his Truth Social platform. Earlier reporting noted: The US president also asked White to bring along six UFC fighters as “assistants”, sharing their photographs in the post.
