Dana White has addressed reports that Donald Trump offered him the role of White House press secretary, confirming that he is traveling to Washington, DC, and plans to meet the president in person on Monday.
Asked about the extraordinary proposal by a reporter in London on Saturday, the UFC chief laughed before saying: “I’m flying to Washington, DC, right now.”
White, 57, did not say whether he had already spoken with Trump about the position, but confirmed that he would see his longtime friend at the White House.
“I’m sure we’ll have more to talk about after that,” he added, leaving open the possibility that he could become the administration’s next top spokesperson.
His remarks followed a series of contradictory reports over whether White was genuinely considering the job or had already declined the offer.
TMZ reported that the fight promoter was scheduled to meet Trump in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss the role, citing sources familiar with the plans.
CNN, however, reported that White had turned down the unusual proposal, according to a source familiar with the matter. Another White House aide suggested that Trump may have been joking.
White’s confirmation that he is heading to Washington has added another layer to the story, although he has yet to say whether he plans to accept the position.
Dana White has responded to reports that Donald Trump offered him the White House press secretary job, confirming that he is traveling to Washington, DC, to meet the president on Monday
Dana White has maintained a close alliance with Donald Trump and helped him reach younger male voters during the 2024 campaign
Trump announced the offer on Truth Social, encouraging White to take the job and suggesting that he bring several UFC fighters to serve as assistants
The conflicting reports surfaced just hours after Trump publicly urged his longtime friend and political ally to accept the position, even suggesting that White bring a group of UFC fighters to help confront what he called the “Lunatic Left.”
It is still unclear whether Trump’s unconventional suggestion was meant as a serious job offer. One White House aide told CNN that the president was joking.
The uncertainty comes as Trump seeks a new press secretary after the chaotic five-day tenure of Katie Zacharia, who was dismissed following a troubled first briefing.
The role has become even more politically significant after the Republicans suffered a heavy midterm defeat, giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and the ability to investigate the administration.
White, who was in London on Saturday for a boxing event, has not publicly confirmed whether he is interested in taking the job.
Katie Zacharia was removed as White House press secretary after only five days, following a difficult opening briefing
TMZ said the Monday meeting was expected to go ahead, despite CNN’s report that White had already rejected the offer.
Trump announced the proposal on Truth Social on Saturday, writing: “I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States.”
The president then suggested that White assemble an extraordinary roster of mixed martial arts stars to work alongside him in Washington.
“I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris,” Trump wrote, apparently referring to UFC fighter Kayla Harrison in the final name.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
The post immediately prompted speculation over whether Trump was making a genuine offer or simply joking with his close friend.
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White appeared to embrace the exchange, reposting Trump’s announcement on Instagram and sharing a picture of himself behind the White House briefing room podium
Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, speaks to reporters in London this weekend
Dana White watches from ringside during this weekend’s boxing event in London
White appeared to play along with the president’s post, sharing it on Instagram along with an image of himself standing behind the White House briefing podium.
“On to the next chapter,” he wrote, offering no indication of whether he was accepting the role or participating in the joke.
White House communications director Steven Cheung also endorsed the idea, reposting Trump’s message with the response: “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”
Trump’s interest in White comes during a turbulent search for a successor to Zacharia, whose time as press secretary ended after only five days.
Her dismissal left the White House looking for someone able to withstand the constant demands and scrutiny of the Washington press corps.
Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, held the position for about 18 months before stepping down in August to spend more time with her young family. She later joined Fox News as a contributor.
The search has featured a number of unexpected possibilities. White House staffers were even said to have discussed rapper Nicki Minaj as a potential candidate shortly before the midterm elections.
White, meanwhile, has spent years cultivating one of Trump’s strongest relationships beyond the political world.
The search has included several unexpected names, with White House staffers reportedly mentioning rapper Nicki Minaj as a possible candidate before the midterm elections
White has developed one of Trump’s closest relationships outside politics. The pair are pictured at the “UFC Freedom 250” MMA event on the White House South Lawn in June
The shake-up inside the White House has extended to the highest levels of Trump’s administration. On Friday, he removed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles, left
The UFC president has spoken at the past three Republican National Conventions and helped Trump connect with younger male voters during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump has previously praised White for introducing him to a new generation of voters.
“He introduced me to people I never heard of, young kids,” the president said earlier this year.
“I mean, I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids. I’m saying, ‘Where the hell did you meet these people?’ They’re called influencers.”
Their alliance gained further attention in June, when Trump hosted a UFC event on the White House lawn during celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Trump’s effort to retain his popularity among young men suffered a setback during Tuesday’s midterm elections, when the demographic moved toward the Democrats.
The broader personnel upheaval has also reached the uppermost levels of Trump’s administration.
On Friday, Trump dismissed longtime chief of staff Susie Wiles and announced that hardline adviser Stephen Miller would succeed her from Monday.
“I’ll be doing maybe a few changes,” Trump told CBS News on Friday.
