President Donald Trump says he was "only kidding" when he offered UFC chief executive Dana White the job of White House press secretary. Trump posted the offer on Truth Social on Saturday, November 7, 2026, and walked it back on Sunday after more than a day of speculation. The press secretary job remains vacant after two departures this year.
What happened:
- Saturday: Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!"
- Sunday: "I will tell you, I was only kidding, but Dana loves the idea, and there's only one Dana," Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida.
- White's reaction: he posted an apparently AI-generated image of himself at the briefing-room lectern with the caption "On to the next chapter."
- The job: still vacant after Karoline Leavitt stepped down in August and her successor, Katie Zacharia, left after five days in October.
The Truth Social Post and the Walk-Back
Trump announced the offer on Truth Social, describing White as a "violent Fighter and Warrior", The Hill reported. On Sunday, asked about it in Palm Beach, Trump said he had been joking, according to NBC News. He added that White was still coming to Washington on Monday, "for other reasons".
White had played along. Besides the lectern image on Instagram, he shared Trump's post to his Instagram Story. Speaking at a boxing event in London, he said he had a meeting with Trump scheduled for Monday.
Why the White House Has No Press Secretary
The briefing-room job has been unusually unstable. Karoline Leavitt announced in August that she was stepping down to spend more time with her family. Her replacement, Katie Zacharia, left after five days in October, NBC News reported. NPR noted that Trump currently has no press secretary.
Who Is Dana White?
Dana White is the CEO and president of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), the mixed martial arts promotion. He and Trump have been friends for years, and Trump has attended many UFC events while in office. In July 2026, White organised a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn as part of events marking the nation's 250th birthday, NBC News reported.
The Business Angle
For the UFC, the episode was another round of free publicity at the highest level of politics. The company has built its brand on spectacle and personality, and White is its most recognisable executive. Running a major sports business is a full-time job, which is one reason few people took the offer literally. For more on how political events move business and markets, see our report on Trump Media investors' losses.
FAQs
Is Dana White the White House press secretary?
No. Trump said on Sunday that he was "only kidding" about the offer.
Who is the White House press secretary now?
The job is vacant as of November 9, 2026, after Karoline Leavitt and Katie Zacharia both left this year.
Why is Dana White meeting Trump?
Trump said White was visiting on Monday "for other reasons" unrelated to the press secretary job. The purpose was not disclosed.
Checked on November 9, 2026, against NBC News, The Hill and NPR. We could not access the New York Times report directly.