Dana White Turns Down Trump’s White House Press Secretary Offer, Says He Has No Political Ambitions

UFC president Dana White has rejected the prospect of becoming the next White House press secretary after United States President Donald Trump publicly raised the possibility during a surprise appearance at the White House on Monday.

Trump had announced on social media on Saturday that he had offered the prominent mixed martial arts promoter the influential communications position. The announcement generated widespread attention before the president disclosed on Sunday that he was “only kidding.”

The 57-year-old UFC boss appeared alongside Trump on Monday in the James Brady Briefing Room, where the president put him on the spot in front of journalists.

Trump asked White whether he would prefer to serve as the press secretary of the United States or continue running what he described as the “ridiculous UFC.”

“So let me ask you the big question. Would you like to be press secretary of the United States of America? Or do you just want to stay with this ridiculous UFC? Huh?” Trump said.

White thanked the president but made it clear that he had no interest in entering government or pursuing a political career.

“Thank you for the offer, sir — for the offer, I have no, no — I do not want to be in politics,” he replied.

Trump reacted with a smile before jokingly expressing disappointment as he exited the room.

“I am devastated to hear this. Goodbye, everybody,” the president said.

The position became vacant following Katie Zacharia’s departure on October 16, less than a week after taking up the appointment. Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, had left the job in August after approximately a year and a half.

Trump’s announcement that he had approached White about the position, describing him as a “violent Fighter and Warrior,” fuelled speculation that the president was considering a tougher approach to White House communications following the Republican Party’s unexpected midterm election defeat.

White, a longtime associate of Trump, has maintained a close relationship with the president and helped organise a major UFC fight event on the White House lawn earlier this year.

Despite the initial excitement surrounding the announcement, Trump later indicated that he had not been serious about the proposed appointment, admitting on Sunday night that he was joking.

Trump jokes about White’s fighting background

Before bringing White to the podium on Monday, Trump told reporters that he had been “having a little fun.”

Describing the UFC president, Trump said: “He’s a great guy. The only problem is he’ll talk for a little while and then he’s going to beat the hell out of you.”

White appeared at the lectern wearing a black T-shirt and jacket, looking more accustomed to the UFC octagon than the White House briefing room.

Joking about the unusual experience, he said: “I’ve always wanted to do this. Who has the first question?”

However, he quickly dismissed any suggestion that he was interested in a political appointment, declaring: “I have zero political aspirations.”

White also revealed the impact of Trump’s unexpected announcement, saying that “the last 24 hours of my life has been insane.”

Asked directly by a reporter whether he had turned down the press secretary position, White offered an explanation for his response.

“I don’t tell the president ‘no’ to anything… I didn’t want to be disrespectful and say anything until he said something first,” he said.

After the exchange, Trump proceeded to answer questions on other national and international issues, including the wars involving Iran and Ukraine, possible impeachment proceedings against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and a spying scandal involving Nvidia chief Jensen Huang.

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