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UFC boss Dana White gives cryptic response after Trump offers him the job of White House press secretary
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Dana White has responded after President Donald Trump offered him the role of White House press secretary on Saturday (November 7).
The UFC boss took to social media shortly after the 80-year-old made the announcement on Truth Social, surprising many with his reply.
White and Trump have been longtime friends, having worked together on the infamous UFC Freedom 250 event, which was held on the White House lawn on June 14.
The event was held in celebration of the US' Semiquincentennial, with Trump given a front-row seat to the sporting event.
But months on, and after losing the previous press secretary in less than a week, the President has called upon White for another favor.
Since Karoline Leavitt stepped down from her role, the Trump Administration has been left with the task of finding her replacement, and after one failed attempt, they can't afford to make the same mistake again.
Donald Trump's message to Dana White
The President didn't hide his enthusiasm at his friend potentially stepping into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, as seen in his post on Truth Social.
Not only did he ask White to take the job, but he suggested he bring some of the world's most feared mixed martial arts fighters to join him as the communications team.
He penned: "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.
"I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris.
"We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he signed off.
Dana White's response
Instead of turning the role down, or ignoring the social media message, White directly responded on his Instagram story.
The 57-year-old didn't provide a clear answer, instead sharing an image of himself standing behind the White House's official press secretary’s lectern.
He then captioned the image: "On to the next chapter."
That wasn't all, as the UFC CEO reposted the President's full Truth Social message on his story, though this time with no comment.
The pair have been friends for over 20 years, as Trump used to host early UFC events at his Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, when more established venues turned the MMA production company down.
White has returned the support shown by speaking at each of the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Republican National Conventions.
As for others commenting on the situation, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung reposted the President's announcement, saying: "Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!"
White House struggles to fill Press Secretary role
It's been over two months since Leavitt stepped down from the role after nearly two years to focus on her family.
The role has been filled for just five days since then, as political commentator Katie Zacharia barely lasted in the role after a shaky press debut that lasted less than 15 minutes and was widely mocked.
She opened the briefing by telling reporters she was "so honored" to be working for President Trump and noted that she’d "wanted to work for him for a very long time".
But disaster would strike as Zacharia appeared to struggle when reading from a sheet of notes, answering questions from reporters, and would even confuse her husband with Trump.
Days later, Trump hinted at her departure, claiming: "I said to Katie just two minutes ago, I said, Katie, you know, you don't have to do this... the news has been so nasty to her.
"I've never seen anything like it. And I said, I said to her honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider,
"You think about it, but I wouldn't reconsider. She's got a beautiful husband and family ... maybe it's not for her," he added.
Zacharia has since claimed that the "media and all of Washington" made it very hard for her to do her job.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously announced that while Zacharia was leaving her post, she would be "transitioning into a new role that will be announced at a later date."