UFC chief takes White House podium, but turns down Trump

UFC CEO Dana White addressed reporters at the White House on Monday, but he declined an offer from President Donald Trump to become the press secretary. Trump had jokingly presented the role to White during a chaotic question-and-answer session in the James S. Brady press briefing room. Expressing gratitude for the offer, White firmly stated that he did not wish to engage in politics.

The 80-year-old president had suggested the position to White just days after Katie Zacharia stepped down as press secretary on October 16, having served for less than a week. Trump later clarified on Sunday that his remark was only a joke, though he added that White found the idea appealing. White, a 57-year-old friend of the president, previously hosted a major UFC event on the White House lawn earlier this year.