UFC Chief Dana White Handed White House Press Podium Role

The White House has been without a press secretary for 22 days, a gap that President Donald Trump seeks to close by naming Dana White, the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, to the post. Trump announced the offer on Saturday via his Truth Social account, bypassing traditional media channels to reach the public directly.

White, who is 57 years old, has not yet signed a formal contract. However, he shared an image on his own social media platforms showing himself standing behind the briefing room podium. The photo, which appears to be artificially generated, carried the caption, "On to the next chapter." This visual cue suggests he is prepared to assume the duties of the office.

The current vacancy dates back to October 16, when Katie Zacharia departed after serving for less than a week. This latest appointment represents the administration's most recent effort to stabilize its public messaging. The White House amplified the proposal by posting a screenshot of Trump's message on one of its official accounts.

Trump did not limit the invitation to White alone. He requested that six current or former UFC titleholders join the administration. The list includes American athletes Justin Gaethje and Daniel Cormier, as well as Amanda Nunes, a Brazilian native who became an American citizen last year. The group also features Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, both from the Dagestan region of Russia, and Kayla Harrison, an American athlete referred to in the post as Kayla Harris.

The President justified the inclusion of these fighters with a specific political rationale. He stated, "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left." This language frames the athletic appointments as a defensive measure against political opposition rather than a standard expansion of the staff.

The move deepens a relationship that has grown since Trump won his second term in the 2024 election. White has attended high-profile events with the President, including a victory speech and UFC bouts in Miami, New York, and New Jersey. In June, the UFC held a major match on the White House South Lawn to mark the President's 80th birthday. White also joined the board of directors at Meta following the reelection, a step observers linked to the technology company's conservative shift.

White leads the largest organization in mixed martial arts, a business that broadcasts to global audiences. His potential transition into government communications marks a shift from traditional journalism backgrounds to sports entertainment leadership. The decision to accept the role rests with White, who currently serves as the president and CEO of the UFC.