US President Donald Trump has said he was joking when he offered Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White the vacant White House press secretary position, dismissing speculation that the sports executive could join his administration.
Trump said White was aware of the joke but described him as capable of handling the role. He also confirmed that the UFC boss would visit the White House on Monday.
“So, I was kidding, of course. I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea and he’s a very capable guy.”
Trump made the offer in a social media post on Saturday, describing White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and asking him to take the position.
“I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris,” Trump wrote, listing several UFC fighters.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”
Trump later explained that the inclusion of UFC fighters as White’s proposed assistants was intended to make the joke obvious.
“Of course I was kidding, and you could see that, because I put all the great fighters as his assistants—that they’re all going to come with him.”
“But it was all just a little fun. But he’s actually coming tomorrow. Actually, for another reasons, I think he’s going to be in Washington, so he’s going to come and see me.”
White, who was in the United Kingdom over the weekend, appeared to play along with the offer.
“I’ve got a lot of jobs already,” he said.
He later posted a photograph of himself standing behind the White House press room, accompanied by the caption, “On to the next chapter.”
CNN subsequently reported that White had declined the offer.
Trump also shared an AI-generated cartoon in the style of Family Guy, depicting White as White House press secretary. In the video, White sends UFC fighters after reporters whose questions he dislikes.
The cartoon references a controversial remark by UFC fighter Josh Hokit during the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event, in which he made a false claim about former first lady Michelle Obama.
The clip ends with Trump entering a destroyed and burning press room, where cartoon White tells him: “Fiery…but mostly peaceful.”
Trump’s proposed appointment comes as the White House continues to search for a permanent press secretary following Karoline Leavitt’s departure in August.
Her replacement, Katie Zacharia, reportedly lasted five days in the position. Trump had also floated the possibility of appointing rapper Nicki Minaj to the role.
The developments come amid wider changes within the administration following the Republican Party’s losses in the midterm elections.
On November 6, Trump dismissed White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and replaced her with Stephen Miller, who previously served as deputy chief of staff.
Trump’s meeting with White is scheduled to take place at the White House, where the UFC previously held its Freedom 250 event on the president’s 80th birthday.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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