President Donald Trump clarified Sunday that his recent social media announcement offering the White House press secretary position to Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White was made in jest, not as a serious job proposal.
"I will tell you, I was only kidding," the president stated when questioned about the unusual proposition and whether genuine intent lay behind it. Trump suggested the roster of mixed martial arts fighters he named as potential assistants to White should have signaled the humorous nature of the post. "And you see a lot of rough faces there," he remarked, adding with a smile that some of the fighters hailed from "parts unknown," a reference familiar to professional wrestling fans.
The president did note that White appeared receptive to the notion, calling him "a very capable guy." When asked how the UFC executive might perform in such a role, Trump observed, "You wouldn’t mess around with him so much." He explained that White would be visiting the White House Monday, though for unrelated business, as the UFC president had already planned to be in Washington.
Trump’s original post on Truth Social had named several prominent UFC fighters as prospective assistants, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes. White responded by sharing Trump’s message on social media, along with a photograph of himself at the White House podium captioned "On to the next chapter," which further fueled speculation about the authenticity of the offer.
The president acknowledged that some observers actually endorsed the idea once he floated it publicly. "And then people said, you know, that’s actually a pretty good idea," Trump noted.
The exchange comes several weeks after the departure of Katie Zacharia, who had briefly served as press secretary after being selected to replace Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt had left the position in August. When reporters asked Trump about finding a replacement in late October, he responded, "We’re in no rush."
Trump and White share a relationship spanning decades, originating during the UFC’s formative years when Trump hosted fights at his Atlantic City casino property. White introduced the president at the 2024 Republican National Convention and joined him on the White House South Lawn this past June for UFC Freedom 250.
White had previously addressed questions about joining the administration, telling an industry publication last November that he harbored "no personal political aspirations" when asked about potentially accepting a position in Trump’s incoming government.
The unusual social media episode reflects the unconventional communications style that has characterized Trump’s presidency, blending serious policy announcements with lighter moments that sometimes blur the line between official statements and personal commentary. The president’s clarification brings closure to speculation that had circulated over the weekend about a potentially dramatic shift in White House communications strategy.
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