Trump says offer of press secretary role to UFC chief was a joke

U.S. President Donald Trump clarified on Sunday that his earlier offer of the White House press secretary position to UFC chief Dana White was intended as a joke. Addressing reporters at his Florida airport, Trump stated, "I was only kidding, but Dana loves the idea." The White House press secretary role, a prominent administration position, had been unfilled since Katie Zacharia resigned on October 16 after less than a week in the role.

White, 57, is the president and CEO of UFC and a close friend of Trump. Speaking from London on Saturday, White indicated he would discuss further after meeting with Trump on Monday. Notably, White's UFC had organized a violent cage fight on the White House South Lawn during Trump's 80th birthday celebration in June and featured Trump during his 2024 reelection victory speech.

Trump's social media post on Saturday urged White to accept the offer, referring to him as a "violent fighter and warrior" and suggesting he bring several non-American fighters as assistants. Trump's clarification on Sunday reinforced that the inclusion of fighters from "parts unknown" was meant to indicate the proposal was a joke.

He confirmed that a meeting with White was still scheduled for Monday, despite Trump's previous firing of press secretary Katie Zacharia after five days on the job.