President-elect Donald Trump has disclosed that he extended an offer to UFC CEO Dana White to serve as his White House press secretary in the upcoming administration. The former president recounted the interaction during a recent public appearance, highlighting his long-standing personal relationship with the combat sports executive.
Trump described White as a “violent fighter” while discussing the potential appointment. The president-elect noted that he directly appealed to his friend, stating, “Dana, please take the job!” during their conversation regarding the staffing of his new cabinet and communications team.
White, who has been a prominent supporter of Trump throughout his political career, has frequently appeared at rallies and endorsed the Republican leader during multiple election cycles. Despite the public nature of the offer, the UFC executive has not indicated an intention to leave his leadership role at the mixed martial arts promotion to join the federal government.
The role of White House press secretary is currently the subject of intense speculation in Washington as the transition team prepares for the inauguration. The position requires managing daily interactions with the national press corps and articulating the administration’s policy agenda to the public. While White has maintained a high profile in media, his career has been exclusively tied to the growth and management of the UFC.
Trump’s comments come as he continues to finalize his selections for key executive branch positions. The transition team has been vetting various candidates for communications roles, looking for individuals who can effectively represent the president-elect’s messaging strategy. It remains unclear if any formal discussions are ongoing or if the suggestion was made in a more informal capacity.
Neither White nor representatives for the transition team have provided further clarification regarding the status of the offer. As the transition period continues, observers expect more announcements regarding the official press office staff to be released in the coming weeks. For now, White remains at the helm of the UFC, continuing his duties as the organization’s chief executive officer.