UFC CEO Dana White posted a photo of himself behind the press secretary lectern on Saturday, apparently in response to President Donald Trump's public offer of the job.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered White the position, calling him "a violent Fighter and Warrior" and saying he should bring mixed martial arts fighters from around the world as "assistants." White posted on Instagram stories with a picture of himself at the lectern and the caption "On to the next chapter," though it was unclear whether he had accepted the role or was acknowledging the request in jest.
The press secretary job has been effectively vacant since Katie Zacharia left in October after a single shaky briefing. Trump suggested she quit. Previous press secretary Karoline Leavitt went on maternity leave in April and resigned in August.
Trump and White have a longstanding friendship. The president hosted a UFC fight at the White House in June as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations. White praised Trump during his 2016 campaign, saying Trump was "the first guy to recognize the potential we saw in the UFC."
The offer comes a day after Trump replaced White House chief of staff Susie Wiles with hardline lieutenant Stephen Miller, widely seen as the start of an aggressive restructure after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in last week's midterm elections. On Saturday, Trump also said he was ordering the Department of Justice to investigate what he termed "Weaponisation and Lawfare" by Democrats who were threatening to impeach or investigate senior administration officials.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The press secretary role has been vacant for months, and Trump's unconventional pick signals a combative White House posture as Democrats prepare to investigate the administration.
- White, a close Trump ally with no political experience, would be a dramatic departure from traditional press secretaries, potentially reshaping how the White House communicates.
- The offer follows a sweeping staff shake-up, including the promotion of Stephen Miller, indicating the president is moving toward more aggressive tactics ahead of a Democratic-controlled Congress.
Background
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt went on maternity leave in April and resigned in August. Top officials including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in sporadically. In October, media commentator Katie Zacharia served just five days in the job before being forced out after a brief, shaky debut briefing. On Friday, Trump replaced chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, a hardline immigration architect. On Saturday, Trump also ordered the Justice Department to investigate what he called "Weaponisation and Lawfare" by Democrats. The moves come after Democrats won control of the House and Senate in last week's midterm elections.
Key Perspectives
Donald Trump: Says White is "a violent Fighter and Warrior" and that bringing MMA fighters as assistants is needed to "defend us against the Lunatic Left."
Dana White: Responded with an Instagram photo of himself behind the press secretary lectern and the caption "On to the next chapter," though it remains unclear if he has accepted the job or is joking.
Democrats: Have won control of Congress and are threatening to investigate and impeach senior administration officials, which Trump has called extortion.
What to Watch
- Whether White formally accepts the position or treats the offer as a publicity stunt.
- Whether Trump follows through on his order for the Justice Department to investigate Democrats, which would test the department's independence.
- How Stephen Miller's promotion reshapes White House strategy, particularly regarding potential arrests or leak investigations against journalists.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTrump offered Dana White the White House press secretary role.Washington Examiner: “President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he offered the role of White House press secretary to UFC CEO Dana White , a longtime ally.”
- SupportedTrump announced the offer on Saturday.Washington Examiner: “President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he offered the role of White House press secretary to UFC CEO Dana White , a longtime ally.”
- SupportedDana White is UFC CEO and a longtime ally of Trump.Washington Examiner: “President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he offered the role of White House press secretary to UFC CEO Dana White , a longtime ally.”
- SupportedTrump said he had asked White to bring assistants.Washington Examiner: ““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.””
- SupportedTrump called White “a violent Fighter and Warrior” in a Truth Social post.Washington Examiner: ““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 posted on Truth Social.”
- SupportedTrump said White had been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States.Washington Examiner: ““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 posted on Truth Social.”
- SupportedTrump named Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harris as assistants White should bring.Washington Examiner: ““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.””
- SupportedTrump noted that some of the named assistants are not from the United States.Washington Examiner: ““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.””