President Donald Trump briefly suggested that UFC chief Dana White could serve as the next White House press secretary, only to retract the nomination hours later. The exchange highlights the ongoing search for a chief spokesperson for the administration, a position that has remained vacant since mid-October.
Trump’s Social Media Announcement
On Saturday, Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform stating that he had offered the press secretary role to White. The post described White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and suggested he bring along fighters like Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov to serve as assistants. Trump wrote that these individuals were needed to “defend us against the Lunatic Left” and urged White to accept the job.
The post included images of several fighters baring their teeth. By Sunday night, Trump clarified the nature of the announcement. Speaking from an airport tarmac in West Palm Beach, Florida, he stated, “I was only kidding. But Dana loves the idea.” He added that White is “great” and unique in his field.
A Vacant Role and Unconventional Candidates
The White House press secretary position has been empty since October 16. During Trump’s first term, the role saw four different holders. In his current term, Karoline Leavitt and Katie Zacharia have served. Zacharia’s tenure lasted just five days in October, making it the shortest in history. She faced criticism for her legal credentials and struggled during her single press briefing, which ended within 15 minutes.
White has no prior government experience. He is a former boxer and college dropout who transformed the UFC into a global commercial success. He became president of the organization in 2001 after the Fertitta brothers purchased it for $2 million. Trump has been a supporter of the sport since the 1990s, hosting UFC events at his Atlantic City casino when the promotion struggled for mainstream acceptance.
Political analysts suggest Trump often uses public statements to test reactions. Rob Arlett, a Republican strategist, told Al Jazeera that Trump and White share a loyalty dating back more than 25 years. Arlett noted that Trump may have been “partly serious” in his initial post, using the announcement to gauge public response.
Longstanding Relationship and Controversy
White has been a vocal supporter of Trump since 2015. He endorsed Trump’s presidential bid early in the campaign and has donated tens of thousands of dollars to his political efforts. In 2020, White contributed $1 million to America First Action. The two men’s relationship was highlighted in June when Trump hosted a UFC tournament on the White House lawn to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Despite the friendly history, White’s potential appointment would face scrutiny. In 2022, a video surfaced showing White slapping his wife, Anne Stella, during an argument. White apologized at the time, stating that the criticism he received was “100% warranted.” Experts note that while Trump has appointed unconventional candidates before, the press secretary role requires specific skills that White lacks.
White dismissed the prospect of joining the administration when asked about his plans. He told reporters he was flying to Washington, DC, for a meeting with Trump but emphasized that he already has “a lot of jobs.” He continues to serve as the chief executive and president of the UFC.
Source: Al Jazeera
