President Donald Trump, fresh from a midterm election rout that cost his party control of Congress, has turned to the world of octagon combat to fill a key vacancy. In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump offered the job of White House press secretary to Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, calling him “a violent Fighter and Warrior” and urging him to “take the job!” The vacancy for White House press secretary has been open since mid-October, when Katie Zacharia exited after just a few days on the job.
A $600 Million Man for a $195,000 Job?
The offer is as unconventional as the candidate. White, who has amassed a fortune estimated at over $600 million running the UFC, would be stepping into a government role that pays a modest $195,000 a year. The stark financial contrast has led many to question whether the bombastic offer is a serious attempt at political reshuffling or a theatrical gesture designed to shift the media narrative after a brutal election for the GOP.
Trump’s post was not just an offer; it was a declaration of war on the press. “We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” he wrote, explicitly naming six UFC fighters he suggested White bring on as assistants: Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harrison—a name Trump himself misspelled as “Harris.” The list includes two fighters from a Muslim-majority region of Russia, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov, prompting Trump to add the caveat, “even though some are not from our Country.” noted that Trump conveniently omitted that Nurmagomedov is reportedly close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a detail with significant foreign policy implications.
Dana White’s response has been equally cryptic. From London, where he was attending a Zuffa Boxing event, he posted an Instagram photo of himself standing behind the White House press briefing room lectern. The caption was simple, yet ambiguous: “On to the next chapter.” It remains unknown if the post was a genuine signal of acceptance or a tongue-in-cheek nod to the absurdity of the situation. reported that it had asked the White House and the UFC for comment, and the White House has not officially responded to Trump’s post, according to the Associated Press, leaving the offer’s legitimacy hanging in the balance.
President Donald Trump said he offered UFC CEO Dana White the White House press secretary position in a Truth Social post Saturday. White has not publicly addressed the offer, and UFC has not responded to a request for comment.https://t.co/kiwRElCJvP pic.twitter.com/zwE0VAT6H6
The Trump-White Alliance: A 25-Year History
This is not the first time Trump has looked to the UFC boss for support. Their relationship, detailed by Sports Yahoo, spans over 25 years, rooted in a shared love for high-stakes drama and public spectacle. In 2001, Trump hosted two of White’s early MMA events at his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, long before the UFC became mainstream. White has since become one of Trump’s most steadfast surrogates, speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
The alliance reached its zenith this past June with the “UFC Freedom 250” event held on the South Lawn of the White House itself. The spectacle, which featured fights from the likes of Justin Gaethje, was designed to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary but also served as a powerful political statement. The event, which Trump hailed as “incredible,” dramatically elevated White’s public profile, landing him interviews with major outlets like NPR, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker, and even a cover on Time magazine.
During that 2024 campaign, White was unequivocal in his praise. “He is the toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my life,” he declared of Trump, a line he deployed repeatedly. This unwavering loyalty, combined with his growing influence, seems to have positioned him as Trump’s unconventional choice to quarterback his administration’s messaging.
Press Secretary Revolving Door and the MMA Agenda
Trump’s offer highlights the chaotic state of his press office. The position has been a revolving door for months, with several people leaving the role over the past year, including Karoline Leavitt and Katie Zacharia. During Leavitt’s maternity leave, other officials in the administration, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, stepped in to handle press duties. Zacharia, a right-wing influencer, resigned after a mere five days on the job in mid-October. This instability stands in stark contrast to the image of a press secretary flanked by a team of elite fighters.
The fighters Trump named are not just athletes; they are figures with their own complex public personas. For instance, The Guardian pointed out that Islam Makhachev, from a Muslim-majority region of Russia, has spoken out in defense of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and celebrated a victory with the Arabic phrase “Alhamdulillah.” This political dimension, especially coming from a potential foreign-born aide, could create a minefield for the administration’s foreign policy. The inclusion of top stars like Kayla Harrison and Amanda shows Trump's desire to brand his press office with the UFC's star power and no-nonsense attitude.
The Stunt vs. The Strategy
Whether Dana White, a man who has built an empire on controlling the UFC’s narrative, would be willing to trade that role for the unpredictable pressures of the White House press room is the million-dollar question. For now, the world is watching, waiting to see if “Dana, please take the job!” is a genuine plea or just another round in Trump’s political heavyweight bout.
US President Donald Trump says that he has offered UFC CEO Dana White the job of White House press secretary, naming several MMA fighters as potential assistants to defend against the “Lunatic Left.” pic.twitter.com/ZoIKkbHoTQ
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‘It’s become a circus… are we going to have more fights on the lawn of the white house?’ The Five react to Donald Trump’s social post offering UFC CEO Dana White the Press Secretary role. pic.twitter.com/BS7Tvc9m5F
UFC CEO Dana White has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States, per President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/7eL6X5OH0l
