WASHINGTON, D.C. — UFC CEO Dana White won’t be trading the Octagon for the White House briefing room after all. President Donald Trump clarified Sunday that his surprising offer to make White the next White House press secretary was nothing more than a joke, ending speculation that one of mixed martial arts’ most recognizable executives could be headed into his administration.
“I will tell you, I was only kidding,” Trump told reporters Sunday. The clarification came just one day after Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered White the position, creating considerable attention across both the sports and political worlds.
White, who has maintained a close friendship with Trump for years, initially appeared to entertain the possibility when he shared the president’s announcement on social media and acknowledged plans to visit Washington, D.C. However, Trump’s latest remarks made clear that the offer was not serious.
Trump’s Announcement Sparks Speculation
The unexpected story began Saturday when Trump publicly suggested that White should become his administration’s next chief spokesperson. In his Truth Social post, the president praised White and encouraged him to accept the position.
Trump also mentioned several prominent UFC fighters as potential assistants, including former and current champions Khabib Nurmagomedov, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier and Justin Gaethje.
The suggestion immediately attracted attention because of White’s longtime relationship with the president and his outspoken personality. White has spent decades answering questions from reporters, promoting major UFC events and defending the organization’s business decisions.
But serving as White House press secretary would have represented a dramatic departure from his career in combat sports. The position requires communicating administration policies, addressing national and international issues, and responding to questions from the White House press corps.
For a brief period, the possibility of White entering the political arena became a major talking point.
Dana White Was Preparing to Meet With Trump
Following Trump’s initial announcement, White told reporters during a UFC postfight news conference in London that he planned to travel to Washington. White said he had a meeting scheduled with the president on Monday and expected to have more to say afterward.
His comments added to speculation about whether the offer was legitimate. White also shared an image of himself standing behind the White House press briefing room lectern, accompanied by the words “On to the next chapter.”
The social media post further fueled discussion about a potential career change. However, Trump clarified Sunday that White’s upcoming visit would involve other business.
“You wouldn’t mess around with him so much,” Trump said while discussing the UFC executive. The president’s remarks effectively ended the possibility that Saturday’s announcement represented a genuine job offer.
A Friendship Built Through UFC and Politics
Although White won’t be joining the administration as press secretary, his relationship with Trump remains one of the most prominent connections between professional sports and American politics.
The two have maintained a friendship for years, dating back well before Trump’s presidency. White has publicly supported Trump during several presidential campaigns and delivered speeches at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Trump, meanwhile, has frequently attended UFC events and publicly embraced the sport. Their relationship reached another milestone on June 14 when the UFC staged Freedom 250 on the White House’s South Lawn.
The event coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday and brought professional mixed martial arts to one of the country’s most recognizable political landmarks. For White, the event represented another major promotional achievement for the UFC.
For Trump, it highlighted his longstanding connection to combat sports. The relationship has helped keep White in the public spotlight beyond his responsibilities as the UFC’s chief executive.
White House Press Secretary Position Remains Vacant
Trump’s comments came as the White House continued operating without a permanent press secretary. The position has been vacant since Katie Zacharia departed in October following a brief five-day tenure.
Trump’s initial announcement involving White briefly raised questions about whether the president was considering an unconventional choice to fill the position. However, Sunday’s clarification leaves the administration’s search for a chief spokesperson unresolved. There has been no indication that White is being formally considered for the role.
Dana White Remains Focused on the UFC
For the UFC, Trump’s clarification removes the uncertainty surrounding White’s immediate professional future. White has been instrumental in transforming the organization into one of the world’s most successful combat sports promotions.
His leadership, promotional style and relationships with fighters have helped establish the UFC as a major force in global sports entertainment. A move into the White House would have raised significant questions about the organization’s leadership and long-term direction.
Instead, White appears positioned to continue overseeing the promotion while maintaining his personal relationship with the president. His scheduled meeting with Trump may still generate attention, particularly given their history of collaborating on high-profile UFC events. But the possibility of White becoming the administration’s chief spokesperson is no longer being presented as a serious proposal.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
