UFC Chief: White House Offer

Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced on Saturday that he intends to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The purpose of the visit is to discuss an offer for White to serve as the next White House press secretary. Trump revealed the offer via a social media post from his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In the post, the president addressed White as a "violent Fighter and Warrior" and requested that he bring several UFC fighters to Washington to act as assistants. Trump described the proposed hire as a way to defend the administration against opponents, urging White to accept the position.

White was in London on Saturday attending a boxing event when news of the offer broke. During a news conference, he confirmed his travel plans to the capital. He declined to provide details on previous conversations with the president, stating that he would have more to discuss after their meeting.

When reporters asked how he would manage the demands of the presidency alongside his current duties in the fighting industry, White appeared momentarily unsure before noting that he already holds multiple positions. He did not explicitly state whether he was seriously considering the role, though his social media activity suggested openness to the idea.

Prior to the press conference, White shared an image of Trump’s post on Instagram. He paired it with a photo of himself standing behind the podium in the White House press briefing room, captioning the post with the phrase "On to the next chapter." The White House and UFC representatives did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the announcement.

The timing of the offer coincides with a period of significant transition within the Trump administration. The president’s party suffered substantial losses in the midterm elections held on Tuesday, resulting in a loss of control over both chambers of Congress. Democratic candidates won historic victories in districts that Republicans had held for decades.

On Friday, Trump announced the replacement of his longtime adviser Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, who will serve as the next chief of staff. Miller is known for architecting the administration’s strict immigration policies and is considered a key figure in the president’s inner circle. The change in leadership follows a turbulent week involving the brief tenure of press secretary Katie Zacharia.

Zacharia served for only five days before departing the position, leaving the role vacant since Karoline Leavitt left office at the end of August. The administration has operated without a permanent chief spokesperson during this interim period.

Trump and White have maintained a close relationship since the president returned to the White House in January 2025. The two attended multiple UFC events together. In June, the president brought the sport to the White House South Lawn for a celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and his own 80th birthday.

For that event, a wire-mesh Octagon was constructed near the executive mansion beneath a structure called "The Claw." White spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024, reinforcing his visibility within the party. He also expressed ambitions during his London news conference to expand the Zuffa Boxing organization, which he runs with Saudi Arabian backers, to host more events globally.