Trump offers White House press secretary role to UFC chief Dana White

Donald Trump has offered the vacant White House press secretary position to Dana White, the outspoken chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a longtime friend and supporter of the president. The announcement has prompted questions about whether Trump intends the proposal to be taken seriously.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described White as "a violent Fighter and Warrior" and urged him to accept the position. He also named fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, saying he had asked White to bring them along as assistants. Trump presented the proposed team as a way to defend his administration against its political opponents.

CNN reported that White had turned down the job. However, while attending a boxing event in London, the UFC chief said he would meet Trump at the White House on Monday. White continues to run the UFC while also working to develop the fledgling boxing company Zuffa, leaving it unclear how he could accommodate the demands of the White House role.

The administration has had no official press secretary since Katie Zacharia departed last month after only five days in the position. Her first appearance drew substantial criticism, and she left before completing a week. Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, stepped down to spend more time with her family and was widely regarded as a capable, composed spokesperson.

The press secretary serves as the president's principal spokesperson, holding regular White House briefings to explain administration policy. US political analyst Calvin Dark suggested that Trump's unusual choice might amount to "trolling" rather than a straightforward attempt to fill that vacancy.

Dark said Trump could have floated the idea on a Saturday afternoon to attract headlines, with White then able to decline politely. His comments reflected uncertainty over the intent behind an offer that would move the combat sports executive into a prominent political communications job.

White has previously appeared as a speaker at Trump rallies, and the relationship between the UFC and the administration extends beyond their friendship. The organisation staged a major event on the White House lawn in June. Its former public affairs chief, Steven Cheung, now serves as Trump's communications director.

The proposal follows another significant personnel change after Trump's crushing midterm election defeat this week. Influential adviser Stephen Miller has replaced Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff.