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    Trump asks UFC boss Dana White to be new White House press secretary; here's what he said about the US President's offer

    Synopsis

    Donald Trump has publicly invited Dana White to be his new Press Secretary, prompting a response from White. White is scheduled to meet Trump to discuss the position after attending a boxing event in London. The White House press secretary role has been vacant since Katie Zacharia was ousted last month. Trump's administration is undergoing changes following losses in the recent midterm elections.

    Donald Trump UFC CEO Dana White<br>Reuters

    U.S. President Donald Trump listens to UFC CEO Dana White during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 15, 2026.

    President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had asked Dana White, the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to be his new press secretary. "I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States," the president wrote on Truth Social, an online platform he owns.

    'Dana, please take the job'


    "Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!" Trump added in his post, suggesting that several popular UFC fighters should assist White in the role to defend against the "Lunatic Left."

    Asked about the offer on Saturday, White said at a boxing event in London that he would travel to Washington, D.C., and had a meeting scheduled with Trump for Monday. "I’m sure I’ll have more to talk about after that."

    White's relationship with Trump


    Trump and White have long been friends, with the president attending several UFC fights while serving as the commander-in-chief.

    Earlier this year, White had organized a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, an event that was part of the celebrations commemorating 250 years of the United States' independence in July. That event also coincided with Trump's 80th birthday. White also spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

    In an interview with CBS News on "60 Minutes" last September, White had described his relationship with Trump, saying that when they get together for dinner, they "don't talk politics."

    "We talk about...goofy guy stuff that all guys talk about. You know what I mean?" White said at the time. "We talk about 'Rocky' movies. We talk about different fights that have happened."

    Role vacant since Katie Zacharia's ouster


    The role of the White House press secretary has remained vacant since Katie Zacharia was fired just five days on the job last month. Zacharia had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who served as Trump's press secretary since he returned to office in January last year.

    Trump's post comes at a time of turmoil and transition at the White House. The president has also fired Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, replacing her with Stephen Miller. That change has come just days after Trump's Republican Party suffered heavy losses in the 2026 midterm elections.

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