Trump Offers UFC Boss Major White House Job

UFC CEO Dana White said he was flying to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump after the president publicly offered him the position of White House press secretary. White made the comment to reporters in London at a Zuffa Boxing event. He has a meeting scheduled for Monday.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he was pleased to announce the offer to “the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior.” He asked White to bring assistants, naming several UFC fighters including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris. Trump ended the post by urging White to “please take the job!”

White did not commit to accepting. He said, “I have a lot of jobs already.” The offer came after Katie Zacharia left the press secretary role following a brief and troubled tenure. Zacharia’s first and only briefing lasted 14 minutes, during which she appeared nervous, relied heavily on notes, and at one point referred to her husband as the president.

Zacharia later attributed the performance to lack of sleep, saying she had woken at 3 a.m. Two subsequent Fox News appearances also drew criticism. Politico described one of them as a “sanctioned hit.” Former communications director Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted 11 days in the first term, commented on the comparison after Zacharia’s exit.

Scaramucci’s own departure followed a profane interview in which he said of then-strategist Steve Bannon, “I’m not Steve Bannon, I’m not trying to suck my own c***.” The current offer to White is the latest in a series of short-lived communications appointments.

White has maintained a long public relationship with Trump. He has appeared at campaign events and has been a visible supporter. The UFC under his leadership has grown into a major sports property with international reach. Accepting the press secretary role would require him to step back from or restructure those responsibilities.

The proposed inclusion of active fighters as assistants is unusual for the press office. Trump’s post did not specify what duties those individuals would perform. White has not commented on that portion of the offer. The Monday meeting is expected to cover both the position and other topics.

Zacharia’s tenure lasted roughly five days in the role after a rocky start. Her briefing ended after she called on only three reporters. The episode reinforced perceptions of instability in the communications operation. Trump has cycled through multiple press secretaries and communications directors across both terms.

White’s response leaves the decision open. He has not indicated whether the volume of his existing commitments makes the White House role impractical. UFC events continue on a regular schedule, and White is typically closely involved in matchmaking and promotion.

The Truth Social post framed the offer in characteristically direct language. Trump has used similar public announcements for other personnel decisions. In this case the post itself constituted the offer rather than a private approach followed by a later confirmation.

No official White House statement has elaborated on the proposal beyond the president’s post. White’s travel to Washington confirms that the conversation is proceeding. The outcome of Monday’s meeting has not been reported.

Previous short tenures in the communications shop have included both policy disagreements and performance issues. Scaramucci’s 11-day record remains a reference point. Zacharia’s even shorter period adds to the pattern of rapid turnover.

White has not held a government communications position before. His public style is blunt and promotional, shaped by years of combat-sports media. How that approach would translate to daily White House briefings is one of the practical questions surrounding the offer.

The fighters named in Trump’s post are among the most recognizable in the UFC. Their potential involvement, even in an informal capacity, would be unprecedented for the press office. No further details on logistics or clearances have been provided.

White’s existing business interests include ownership stakes and executive roles that would likely require review under ethics rules if he entered government service. Those issues have not been publicly addressed. The Monday discussion may cover them.

The offer remains pending White’s decision. He has given no timeline for a final answer beyond the scheduled meeting. Trump’s public urging indicates a preference for a quick acceptance, but the final choice rests with White.