UFC Boss Dana White to Meet Trump Monday Over Press Secretary Role
The president offered the position to his friend on social media, citing a need for fighters to defend the administration against political opponents.
By Noor Phillips ·
UFC president Dana White will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss an offer to serve as the administration's press secretary.
Trump made the announcement on Saturday from his golf club in Florida via a social media post. The president addressed White directly, calling him "the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior." He stated that he had extended the offer for White to become his chief spokesperson. The post included a specific request for White to bring several UFC fighters along as "assistants." Trump wrote, "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 offer arrives during a period of transition for the White House communication team. The post has been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left in late August. The administration recently tested a new candidate, Katie Zacharia, who served for five days before departing. She appeared uncomfortable during her sole press conference. The vacancy has left the president without a primary spokesperson for several weeks.
This staffing change occurs alongside other major personnel shifts. On Friday, Trump announced that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff. Miller is known for his hard-line immigration policies and his close relationship with the president. Wiles had served as a longtime adviser and was often viewed as a moderating influence on the administration.
The political context for these changes is the recent midterm elections. Democratic candidates won historic victories in areas that Republicans had held for decades. The GOP lost control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's vote.
White was in London on Saturday for a boxing event. At a news conference, he was asked about Trump's post. He confirmed he would fly to Washington immediately after the event to meet with the president. He declined to detail previous conversations with Trump but said, "I'm sure I'll have more to talk about after that."
When reporters asked how he would balance the press secretary role with his existing duties in the fighting world, White appeared surprised by the question. He responded, "Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already." He did not clarify if he was seriously considering the position.
Before the news conference, White shared an image of Trump's post on Instagram. He paired it with a photo of himself standing behind the podium in the White House press briefing room. The caption read, "On to the next chapter."
The White House and a UFC spokesperson did not respond to messages seeking comment on the post on Saturday.
Trump and White have maintained a close friendship since the president returned to office in January 2025. Trump attended several UFC events with White during that period. In June, they held an event on the White House South Lawn to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary of independence and Trump's 80th birthday. A wire-mesh Octagon was built near the executive mansion under a metal arch structure called "The Claw." White described the event afterward as "an amazing experience" and "a one-of-one."
White has spoken at Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024. He also runs the Zuffa Boxing organization with Saudi Arabian backers. During his London press conference, he discussed ambitions to expand that organization and hold more events globally.
