President Donald Trump announced on November 8, 2026 that he was only kidding when he offered Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White the position of White House press secretary. The suggestion, posted on Truth Social a day earlier, included inviting UFC fighters as assistants. The White House has lacked a press secretary since Katie Zacharia was dismissed in October after five days. The joke highlights Trump's close alliance with White and signals a combative stance following Republican defeat in the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump offers press secretary role to Dana White
- ▪President Donald Trump stated that Dana White loved the idea of serving as press secretary and confirmed that White was scheduled to meet him at the White House on November 9, 2026
- ▪President Donald Trump made a Truth Social post on November 7, 2026 offering Dana White the press secretary position and urging him to bring several prominent UFC fighters as assistants
- ▪President Donald Trump stated on November 8, 2026 that he was only kidding when he publicly offered Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White the role of White House press secretary
UFC fighters and press relations
- ▪President Donald Trump framed his suggestion of bringing UFC fighters to the White House press room as a defense against political opposition following midterm election losses
- ▪President Donald Trump shared an animated AI cartoon on social media on November 8, 2026 depicting Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters physically beating journalists
Trump's ongoing relationship with Dana White and UFC
- ▪President Donald Trump hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026 to celebrate America's 250th anniversary
- ▪UFC CEO Dana White spoke at the 2016 and 2024 Republican National Conventions and helped mobilize support for Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign
Recent turnover in White House press secretary role
- ▪Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt departed from the White House in August 2026 after serving for approximately 18 months, later joining Fox News as a contributor
- ▪The White House press secretary position became vacant in October 2026 after Katie Zacharia was pushed out following five days in the role
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