Trump says UFC chief Dana White has been offered the press secretary job, but conflicting accounts leave its status unclear as the administration faces a major transition and divided government.
President Donald Trump has offered UFC chief executive Dana White the White House press secretary job, but whether White has accepted—or whether the offer was serious—remains unclear. White said Saturday he planned to meet Trump at the White House on Monday. CNN, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that White had declined; White himself did not confirm or deny that report at a London news conference.
Trump announced the offer on social media, calling White a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and saying he would be “a Press Secretary like none other.” Asked how he would balance the job with his existing work, White replied, “Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already,” and said he expected further discussion with Trump. He did not disclose what they had already discussed.
The public accounts leave the offer’s status unsettled. CNN reported that one aide characterized it as a joke. White House communications director Steven Cheung, however, urged White to accept, writing, “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!” Trump also said he had asked White to bring six UFC fighters as potential “assistants.” The post did not explain what authority those assistants would have or provide details of a formal appointment.
That distinction matters. The press secretary is the administration’s principal public representative, expected to answer questions about policy and executive decisions. A public invitation and a meeting do not establish that White has accepted, been appointed or is prepared to take on the role. No formal terms, start date or division of duties have been reported.
The uncertainty comes during a White House transition after Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections. Trump announced Friday that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Wiles was viewed as a tempering influence on the president; Miller, a central architect of the administration’s hard-line immigration policies, is among Trump’s most determined advisers. The appointment marks a significant change in the president’s inner circle, though it does not by itself establish how policy will change.
The press office has also been unsettled. NPR reported that the position had been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left at the end of August and that Katie Zacharia left after five days in the job. Trump remains without a confirmed chief spokesperson as a new Congress prepares to exercise oversight and shape the administration’s legislative prospects. In that setting, the White House will need a communications operation capable of addressing scrutiny, not merely generating attention.
White is a longtime Trump friend and a prominent figure in the president’s political orbit. He spoke at Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and has attended UFC events with Trump. Trump’s post framed the role in combative terms, invoking White’s fighting background rather than describing its institutional responsibilities.
White has business commitments of his own. NPR reported that he aims to expand Zuffa Boxing, which he operates with Saudi Arabian backers, and hold events internationally. At Saturday’s news conference, White discussed those ambitions but gave no account of how they could coexist with a White House job.
No appointment has been confirmed in the available accounts. Monday’s meeting could clarify whether the offer was declined, remains under discussion or was never a conventional staffing proposal. Until then, it is an unresolved personnel story, not a completed decision. With control of Congress changing hands and the chief of staff’s office turning over, the administration’s actions—not the spectacle of the announcement—will show how it intends to govern.
Miles Harrington serves as the Senior Correspondent for Federal Systems & Executive Power at Just Right News, where he brings a disciplined, constitutionalist lens to the inner workings of the American government. With a focus on the mechanics of the federal bureaucracy and the limits of executive authority, Harrington has established himself as a vital voice for readers who value transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the separation of powers.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Harrington’s perspective is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Old Dominion. Growing up in a city defined by its historical significance and its role as a center of American jurisprudence, he developed an early appreciation for the foundational principles of the Republic. His upbringing in Richmond—a place where the legacy of the Founding Fathers is woven into the landscape—instilled in him a belief that the federal government should remain within its constitutional bounds. This background informs his skepticism of centralized overreach and his commitment to reporting on the ways in which the administrative state impacts the lives of everyday citizens.
In his current role, Harrington specializes in the complexities of federal systems. He doesn’t just report on the headlines of the day; he digs into the structural shifts within the executive branch that often go unnoticed by the mainstream press. Whether he is analyzing the implications of a new federal regulation or investigating the expansion of agency jurisdiction, his work is characterized by a rigorous adherence to the facts and a dedication to the rule of law.
Harrington is perhaps best known for his signature feature series, “How Washington Works.” Through this ongoing project, he demystifies the often-opaque processes of the nation’s capital, pulling back the curtain on the “Deep State” and the unelected officials who wield significant influence over national policy. By breaking down complex legislative maneuvers and executive orders, he empowers Just Right News readers to understand the true levers of power in Washington. His reporting serves as a necessary check on the federal government, ensuring that the actions of those in power are held up to the light of public scrutiny.
Now based in Washington, D.C., Harrington operates at the epicenter of the political world, yet he remains intentionally distanced from the “Beltway bubble.” His proximity to the halls of power allows him to maintain a robust network of sources across the federal landscape, but his heart remains in the principled conservatism of his Virginia roots. He views his role not merely as a reporter, but as a steward of the public trust, dedicated to providing the clarity and context that conservative voters need to navigate an increasingly complex political environment.
Through his sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth, Miles Harrington continues to be a cornerstone of the Just Right News team. His work ensures that the principles of limited government and executive restraint remain at the forefront of the national conversation, providing a crucial service to those who believe in a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.