Donald Trump is casting a wide net as he attempts to fill the press secretary void in his cabinet.
Shortly after tapping up — then dismissing — right-wing political commentator Katie Zacharia, Trump has set his sights on a new target: UFC president and CEO Dana White.
Trump and White are close friends and political allies, collaborating with one another for July’s Freedom 250 card while often chumming up with one at UFC events across the country. Trump appears to want to take their friendship to the next level by offering him one of the most public-facing positions in his administration.
Here’s what you need to know.
MORE: Who is Jake Paul boxing opponent Cedric Doumbe?
Why Donald Trump is offering Dana White vacant White House press secretary gig
Trump announced his interest in White for the vacant position in a Truth Social post on Saturday. He’s been seeking a permanent replacement for the role since Karoline Leavitt’s departure earlier in the year.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Trump: “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. 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. 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! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 7, 2026
Trump also called on White to bring UFC fighters past and present to support the cause, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” Trump added. “Dana will be a press secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job.”
White is not believed to have any prior political experience, although he has remained a loyal friend and ally to the Trump administration since he took office. The UFC held Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn over the summer as part of the administration’s commemorative plan for the United States’ 250th anniversary. White’s relationship with Trump is believed to have been a key factor in helping the event materialize.
White took to social media to respond to Trump’s request, posting a picture of himself standing on the White House press secretary lectern. He captioned the image “On to the next chapter.”
The UFC president and CEO has feigned interest in politics in the past, saying he’s “not really even that political” in a podcast last year. His close relationship with Trump would suggest otherwise, as would the UFC’s decision to label fighters as independent contractors, not employees, thereby preventing them from forming a union under federal law. Trump looks to covet the UFC man for the press secretary role. Only time will tell if he wants that for himself.
