Trump says Dana White press secretary offer was a joke as White House shake-up deepens after midterm defeat

New Delhi: The US president, Donald Trump, has dismissed his widely publicized proposal to appoint Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief executive Dana White as White House press secretary as a joke, ending speculation that his longtime political ally was being considered for the influential position. The clarification came as Trump reorganized his administration following the Republican Party’s heavy losses in the November 3 midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.

Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, Trump said his announcement on social media the previous day had never been intended as a serious recruitment proposal. He nevertheless praised White’s abilities and suggested that the UFC executive had been receptive to the idea, although he maintained that the entire episode was meant to be humorous.

“I was only kidding,” Trump told journalists, adding that White was expected to visit the White House on Monday for discussions unrelated to the press secretary position. The president’s explanation followed nearly 24 hours of speculation over whether he intended to appoint a sports promoter with no conventional government communications experience as the administration’s principal spokesperson.

The controversy began on Saturday when Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered White the vacant job, describing him as a fighter and warrior. He also suggested that several internationally renowned mixed martial arts champions could accompany White as assistants, claiming they would help defend the administration against its political opponents.

Among the fighters mentioned were Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev from Russia’s Dagestan region, American fighters Justin Gaethje and Daniel Cormier, and Brazilian-born Amanda Nunes. Trump’s reference to bringing professional fighters into the White House communications team was subsequently presented by the president as evidence that his original announcement should not have been taken literally.

White initially appeared willing to entertain the publicity surrounding the proposal, sharing an image suggesting that he could occupy the White House briefing room. The UFC executive also confirmed plans to meet Trump on Monday, although he stopped short of publicly accepting the position or explaining whether a formal offer had been made.

The episode took another turn when Trump circulated an animated video depicting White conducting a White House press briefing with UFC fighters attacking journalists. The satirical clip, reported by the Washington Post, reinforced the president’s confrontational portrayal of his relationship with sections of the American news media.

A vacant post during a political transition

The speculation gained traction because the administration has been operating without a permanent White House press secretary following a series of personnel changes. Karoline Leavitt resigned in late August, and her successor, Katie Zacharia, departed in October after just five days in the position, leaving one of Washington’s most visible communications jobs unfilled.

The press secretary is responsible for explaining presidential decisions, responding to questions from journalists and communicating the administration’s positions on domestic and international developments. The absence of a permanent appointment has become more consequential as Trump prepares to deal with a Congress controlled by Democrats, who are expected to intensify scrutiny of his government’s policies and decisions.

The White episode also followed a significant change in the president’s immediate leadership team, with Trump replacing the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, with her deputy, Stephen Miller, on November 6. Miller, a central figure in the administration’s restrictive immigration agenda, now assumes a position that oversees presidential access, staff coordination and the implementation of White House priorities.

The appointments are taking place against a substantially altered political landscape following the midterm elections. Democratic control of the House of Representatives and Senate gives the opposition greater influence over legislation, congressional investigations, government spending and the confirmation of senior executive appointments.

Why Dana White remains influential in Trump’s political circle

White’s relationship with Trump extends back more than two decades, when the president’s Atlantic City casino hosted UFC events at a time when mixed martial arts was struggling for mainstream acceptance. Their association subsequently developed into a political alliance, with White endorsing Trump during his presidential campaigns and helping him reach audiences interested in combat sports.

The UFC chief was particularly visible during the 2024 election campaign, supporting Trump’s return to the White House and appearing alongside him at major political events. Their relationship was further reinforced in June this year, when the White House hosted a UFC event as part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The administration also has an existing connection with the UFC through the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, who previously worked for the organization. White’s prominence in Trump’s political circle reflects the president’s broader strategy of using sports personalities, entertainment platforms and unconventional media outlets to communicate directly with supporters.

However, the skills required to promote professional fighting events differ substantially from those needed to explain government policy, manage sensitive national security information and respond to questions about foreign relations. For an administration facing renewed congressional scrutiny, the choice of press secretary will carry implications beyond the president’s relationship with the news media.

For now, Trump has offered no indication of who will permanently fill the position, and his latest comments appear to have ruled out White as an immediate candidate. The episode nevertheless illustrates how the president’s informal public statements can generate uncertainty over personnel decisions at a time when Washington is preparing for a more confrontational period of divided government.