UFC chief Dana White turns down Trump’s offer to become White House press secretary: Report

UFC chief executive Dana White has turned down US President Donald Trump’s offer to become the next White House Press Secretary, CNN reported on Sunday, citing a source familiar with the matter. The decision came after Trump publicly urged his longtime friend and political ally to take up the role.

Trump made the unusual offer in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, describing White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and suggesting that he bring several prominent mixed martial arts champions to the White House briefing room as assistants.

“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,” Trump wrote.

The US President also named UFC fighters Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes, along with Olympic gold medallist and UFC fighter Kayla Harrison, as potential members of White’s team.

Explaining his proposal, Trump said the fighters could help defend his administration against political opponents.

“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!” he added.

CNN reported that a source familiar with the matter confirmed White had declined the offer. A White House aide, however, indicated that Trump was joking about the proposal.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung appeared to support the idea, reposting Trump’s message on X with the caption: “Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!”

Trump targets Democrats amid growing political tensions

Trump’s offer to White comes amid heightened tensions between the White House and Democrats following the midterm elections. The President has also directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of running an “extortion” campaign against administration officials and Republican donors.

In posts on Truth Social, Trump alleged that Democrats were threatening the US Attorney General and others with impeachment and other forms of punishment.

“The Democrats are going around threatening a lot of people, including the Attorney General of the United States, and others, with Impeachment and many other forms of punishment... This is extortion at the highest level,” he wrote.

“By copy of this statement, I am ordering the Department of Justice to look into this criminal act, immediately!” he added.

Trump also urged Republican donors and party members to report any alleged threats to federal law enforcement or directly to him.

“The threats being made by the Democrat Party against innocent Republican Donors and Party Members are absolutely unprecedented, and totally illegal. Please report them to the Department of Justice, IMMEDIATELY!” he wrote.

“If you would like, send them directly to me, your President. These SLEAZEBAGS should go to jail for what they are doing,” he added.

The confrontation comes as Democrats prepare to step up congressional scrutiny of the Trump administration, including through committee hearings, investigations and possible impeachment efforts against senior officials.

White House faces leadership changes

Trump’s reported search for a new Press Secretary follows Karoline Leavitt’s departure and Katie Zacharia’s brief five-day stint in the role.

The President has also announced changes to his senior team. On November 7, he said Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller would take over as White House Chief of Staff from November 9, while incumbent Susie Wiles would move to the Trump political operation.

The election results have shifted the balance of power in Congress, with Democrats securing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in what has been described as a historic “blue wave”.

The Democratic majorities are expected to use their control of congressional committees to intensify oversight of the administration, including through hearings, subpoenas and inquiries into federal spending. They could also seek to advance policy proposals and reverse some of Trump’s executive actions, presenting a major challenge for the remainder of his term.

(With ANI inputs)