Donald Trump Asks UFC Boss Dana White to Take Over as White House Press Secretary

UPDATE - follow-up to Trump offers UFC chief Dana White press secretary job: President Donald Trump has publicly invited UFC boss Dana White to serve as the next White House press secretary.

The Announcement

Trump shared the offer on Truth Social on Saturday. He described the sports executive as a tough fighter and noted the proposal also covers White's team members, even though a few hail from outside the country. Trump stated the country needs these individuals to push back against political opponents. White later shared an Instagram photo of himself posing behind the White House press podium with the words marking a new phase. It remains unconfirmed if White plans to accept the role or is simply joking.

Recent Changes

This development follows the recent departure of former press secretary Katie Zacharia. Zacharia stepped down after just five days in the role following a brief media briefing where she only answered questions from three conservative news organizations. Trump mentioned he advised her to leave after that single appearance. Meanwhile, Stephen Miller has been promoted to chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. These major staff shifts come shortly after a major midterm election defeat where Democrats took majority control of both the House and Senate.

Relationship and History

Trump and White share a close personal bond going back many years. White publicly supported Trump during his first presidential run in 2016 and thanked him for encouraging the growth of the UFC. More recently, Trump marked his 80th birthday in June by hosting a special UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House. Neither the White House nor the UFC provided immediate comments when asked about the job offer.

Context

The White House press secretary acts as the primary spokesperson for the president, managing daily briefings and communication with the press corps. Transitions in this office often happen during periods of political shake-up or shifts in administration strategy. Finding a high-profile media figure for the job would mark a major departure from traditional press operations.