What We Know About Trump's Dana White Press Secretary Offer

President Donald Trump said Sunday he "was only kidding" when he offered Ultimate Fighting Championship chief executive Dana White the job of White House press secretary, a position that has been vacant since early October, according to the BBC.

What did Trump post about Dana White on Saturday?

On Saturday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he was "pleased to announce" White "has been offered the job" of press secretary, writing "Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other," the BBC reported. Trump also asked White to bring current and former mixed martial arts fighters as "assistants," writing, "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left." The post closed with, "Dana, please take the job!"

Why is the press secretary job open?

The role became vacant in October when Katie Zacharia resigned after less than five days on the job, the BBC reported. Zacharia had succeeded Karoline Leavitt, described by the outlet as the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, who had held the post since the start of Trump's second term. The BBC also noted the offer came after Republicans lost their majority in both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.

How did Dana White respond on Saturday?

Asked about the offer at a news conference, White said he already had "a lot of jobs," according to the BBC. He confirmed he planned to meet Trump on Monday, saying, "I'm sure we'll have something to talk about after that," but did not say whether he would accept the position.

What did Trump say Sunday to walk it back?

Trump told reporters Sunday that White was coming to Washington for "other reasons" and that the two would meet Monday. "I think he's going to be in Washington. So he's going to come over and see me. I will tell you, I was only kidding. But Dana loves the idea. And there's only one Dana. He's great," Trump said, per the BBC. "But, it was it was just a little fun."

What happens at Monday's meeting?

The BBC reported White confirmed the Monday meeting but gave no indication he intends to leave his posts at UFC, slap-fighting promotion PowerSlap, or newly launched Zuffa Boxing to join the administration. White also sits on Meta's board of directors and has appeared at the Republican National Convention in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and at Trump's 2024 victory speech, according to the outlet. The UFC staged a fight card on the White House lawn this summer, the BBC noted.

Glossary

• Press secretary: The White House official who briefs reporters and speaks for the administration; the post has had three occupants since January under Trump, per the BBC's reporting.
• Truth Social: Trump's social media platform, where he made the initial offer.
• Zuffa Boxing: A boxing promotion company White launched recently, per the BBC.

What to watch

• Whether Monday's meeting produces any formal announcement on the press secretary vacancy.
• Whether Trump names a different nominee for the post, which the BBC reports remains unfilled.
• Any further comment from White on the MMA-fighter "assistants" idea raised in Trump's original post.