UFC CEO Dana White says he will meet with President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss an offer to become White House press secretary, a role that has seen rapid turnover this year.
White addressed the speculation Saturday following a Zuffa Boxing event in London, telling reporters he planned to fly to Washington after the news conference.
“I got a lot of jobs already,” White said with a laugh. “We have a meeting on Monday, so I’m sure we’ll have more to talk about after that.”
Trump floated the idea in a Truth Social post Saturday, framing the hire as part of a broader communications push.
“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!” Trump wrote.
The president also suggested bringing in several current and former UFC fighters as assistants, naming Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes among others.
White fueled the speculation himself, posting an image on Instagram showing him behind the White House briefing room podium with the caption “On to the next chapter.” White House communications director Steven Cheung amplified Trump’s post, writing, “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”
A Revolving Door in Communications
The overture comes as Trump’s press operation has churned through leadership. Karoline Leavitt left the press secretary post in August, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, lasted just five days in October.
Trump also announced Friday that Stephen Miller would take over as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. The shakeup follows Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Democrats captured control of both chambers of Congress.
A Long Relationship
White and Trump’s connection dates back to 2001, when Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City hosted a UFC event as the promotion worked to gain a foothold. White went on to become a vocal supporter of Trump’s political career, speaking at the Republican National Conventions in 2016 and 2020 and introducing Trump at the 2024 convention.
Their partnership was on public display in June when the UFC staged its Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn, timed to the country’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 80th birthday.
Trump has credited White with connecting him to younger online personalities who helped him reach audiences beyond traditional political media. “He introduced me to people I never heard of, young kids,” Trump said earlier this year.
Oversight Looms
Whatever Trump decides, his communications operation faces a tougher road ahead once Democrats take control of Congress next year. Democratic lawmakers have pledged investigations into the administration, including its immigration enforcement policies. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, has named Stephen Miller’s role in those policies as a likely focus of oversight efforts.
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