Trump Says Dana White Is His Pick for White House Press Secretary

The UFC president has reportedly turned down the offer, according to CNN, but has not publicly confirmed his decision. A planned meeting with Trump in Washington on Monday leaves the unusual proposal unresolved

Donald Trump has floated an unconventional candidate to become the public face of his administration: Dana White, the longtime president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and one of the president’s closest friends. But the proposal may already have hit a wall. White has reportedly declined the job, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Neither White nor the White House has publicly confirmed a final decision. White, speaking to reporters in London, said he was heading to Washington for a meeting with Trump on Monday, leaving open the possibility that the offer could be discussed in person.

The idea goes beyond a change at the podium. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that White bring several prominent UFC fighters into the White House communications operation, naming Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison.

“We need these people to defend us against the crazy Left,” Trump wrote, publicly urging White to take the position. He described the UFC chief as one of his closest friends and a “tough fighter and a fighter at heart.” Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, amplified the president’s post, signaling enthusiasm for the proposal.

White initially appeared to play along. On Instagram Stories, he shared an image, apparently created or altered with artificial intelligence, showing him standing behind the lectern in the White House briefing room. The caption read: “On to the next chapter.”

But when reporters asked whether he would accept the job, White offered no commitment. Asked how he could fit another role around his existing professional responsibilities, he replied: “I already have a lot of jobs.”

The exchange reflects a relationship that has long extended beyond politics. White, 57, was born in Manchester, Connecticut, on July 28, 1969, and has been close to Trump for more than 25 years. He has appeared at several Republican conventions and has repeatedly spoken publicly about their friendship.

Last June 14, White organized a UFC event at the White House to mark Trump’s 80th birthday. In an interview with ESPN in May, he described the president as “one of my best friends,” adding: “We’ve been friends for 25 years, and our relationship gets stronger every year.”

For now, the prospect of White taking over the White House communications operation remains uncertain. Monday’s meeting in Washington may provide the clearest indication yet of whether Trump’s public pitch was more than an unusual gesture between longtime friends.

(Photo: © AndKronos)