President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was only joking when he announced that Ultimate Fighting Championship president and CEO Dana White had been offered the job of White House press secretary.
Trump had made the apparent offer in a Truth Social post on Saturday, following the removal of Katie Zacharia from the role. "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," he wrote at the time.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Sunday before departing for Washington, D.C., Trump said the announcement was "just a little fun," according to the Associated Press.
"I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy," Trump said. White is expected to visit Trump at the White House on Monday.
As Variety reported Saturday, it was never clear how serious Trump was about extending the offer to the UFC executive. The speculation was the latest in a string of recent comments about who might fill the press secretary position.
Trump was also asked during an interview whether musician Nikki Minaj could be considered for the job. "That's a good idea. I think I'll have to think about that.. I'm going to think about that," he replied.
The vacancy opened after Zacharia was let go just five days into the job, the shortest tenure for a press secretary in White House history.
Zacharia had succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who served in the position from Jan. 20, 2025, through Aug. 27. In October, Leavitt announced she was joining Fox News Channel as a contributor. At 27, she was the youngest person in American history to hold the press secretary post.
