Dana White Rejects White House Press Secretary Offer at Monday Briefing

UFC CEO Dana White appeared at the White House on Monday to decline a potential appointment as press secretary, stating he has zero political aspirations.

UFC CEO Dana White appeared at a White House press briefing on Monday, November 9, 2026, to formally decline a potential appointment as press secretary. White told reporters he has "zero political aspirations" and does not want to be in politics, despite President Donald Trump previously stating on social media that he had offered White the position. The president later clarified to reporters on Sunday that he was "only kidding" regarding the appointment.

The appearance followed a weekend of speculation triggered by Trump’s social media post, which described White as a "violent Fighter and Warrior." During the Monday briefing, White opened the floor with his signature UFC phrase, "Who has the first question?" before thanking the president for the offer. White noted that he refrained from commenting publicly until the president spoke first to avoid being disrespectful.

Trump and White share a long-standing friendship that includes White speaking at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024. In June, the UFC held a live event titled UFC Freedom Fights 250 on the White House South Lawn to mark the country’s 250th year of independence and the president’s 80th birthday. The press secretary position has lacked a permanent occupant since Karoline Leavitt’s departure in August, with Katie Zacharia serving a five-day stint in the role in October.