Donald Trump asks Dana White to serve as US press secretary

UPDATE - follow-up to Trump offers UFC chief Dana White press secretary job: President Donald Trump offered the job of press secretary to Dana White on Saturday through a post on Truth Social. Trump called White a fighter and a warrior while making the public offer, and stated the proposal also extends to White's assistants. Trump wrote that these people are needed to defend against the political left, and urged White to take the job. White posted a picture of himself on Instagram stories standing behind the White House press secretary lectern with the caption reading 'On to the next chapter.' It remains unclear if White has accepted the position or is simply responding in jest. Trump referred to the title as Press Secretary of the United States, although the official role is known as the White House press secretary. This vacancy follows the departure of Katie Zacharia in October, who left the post just five days after starting as Karoline Leavitt's replacement following a brief six-minute press briefing. Trump stated he suggested Zacharia quit after she only took questions from three conservative outlets. The press secretary offer arrives immediately after Stephen Miller was promoted to chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. These changes follow a landslide victory by Democrats in the midterm elections where they gained majority control in both the House and Senate. Trump and White share a long friendship dating back to 2016 when White praised Trump during his first campaign. In June, Trump hosted a match called UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn for his 80th birthday. Representatives for the White House and the sports organisation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Context

This follows recent high-level staff changes within the administration following the midterm elections. The role of press secretary involves speaking for the president and briefing journalists daily. Friendships and close political alliances often influence major appointments in Washington. Neither the administration nor the sports executive's representatives have confirmed a final decision.