Trump Calls Dana White Press Secretary Offer A Joke After Weekend Speculation

President Donald Trump operates without a chief spokesperson, a gap that has persisted since mid-October. On Sunday night, the President clarified the status of that vacancy following a viral social media post that named UFC chief executive Dana White as the selected candidate.

The President told reporters on a tarmac in West Palm Beach, Florida, that his earlier comments were intended as humor. “I was only kidding. But Dana loves the idea,” Trump said. This statement followed a Saturday message on Truth Social where Trump presented White as his choice for the role. The post included photographs of fighters and suggested that stars like Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov might serve as assistants.

The press secretary seat has been empty since October 16. That date marks the end of Katie Zacharia’s five-day tenure, which stands as the shortest in the position’s history. Critics had questioned her legal background and delivery during her brief time in the role. Her first briefing lasted only 15 minutes after she struggled with her opening remarks.

Republican strategist Rob Arlett described the President’s suggestion as a method to gauge public opinion. Arlett, a former campaign manager in Delaware, noted the long business ties between Trump and White. Their relationship dates back to the early 2000s when Trump hosted UFC events at his Atlantic City casino. White has cited that support as a factor in the organization’s wider acceptance. White has also donated $1 million to a political action committee backing Trump in 2020.

White responded to the weekend speculation by stating he planned to meet the President in Washington on Monday. He appeared uninterested in an administrative role, telling reporters, “I’ve got a lot of jobs already.” White has served as UFC chief executive and president since 2023 and holds no government experience.

Ihsan Alkhatib, a political science professor at Murray State University, observed that Trump often favors unconventional choices. Alkhatib argued that White lacked the specific skills required for the spokesperson’s duties. A formal appointment could have also raised questions about a 2022 video showing White during an argument with his wife, a moment White later acknowledged with an apology. With the suggestion withdrawn, the administration continues its search for a successor.