Dana White Turns Down Trump’s Press Secretary Offer at Briefing
WHO:
Drudge Report - The headline refers to Dana White and Katie Zacharia in connection with the White House press secretary role.
TMZ - Dana White, identified as the UFC boss, joined President Trump at a briefing.
BBC News - The president and UFC boss Dana White were involved in the proposed press secretary role.
WHAT:
Business Insider - White told Trump, “Thank you for the offer, sir. I do not want to be in politics.”
Business Insider - White said he had “no political aspirations” and “doesn't say no to Trump for anything.”
Business Insider - Trump said White would do a “hell of a job,” then called him to the podium and asked whether he wanted the job or to “stay with this ridiculous UFC.”
Business Insider - White stood beside Trump as he answered questions about midterm elections, Jensen Huang’s cheating scandal, and the war in Iran.
Business Insider - Trump said he was “devastated” by White’s refusal, then ended the press conference.
Business Insider - White and Trump’s friendship dates back to Trump’s days as a casino tycoon.
Business Insider - Karoline Leavitt left the press secretary role to focus on parenthood; she was 29 and had been 27 when she took the job in 2024, making her the youngest person to hold the role in White House history.
Business Insider - Katie Zacharia’s press conference lasted 14 minutes; she mostly read prepared remarks and later faced scrutiny after she could not satisfactorily answer where she passed the bar exam.
Business Insider - A White House official said Zacharia would be “transitioning out” of the role.
Drudge Report - A headline says, “Katie Zacharia auditioning AGAIN for White House press secretary.”
Drudge Report - A related-story headline says Trump brought Dana White to a briefing and warned reporters he would “beat the hell out of you.”
TMZ - White took over the podium during President Trump’s briefing, joked, “I've always wanted to do…” and then turned down the press secretary job.
BBC News - Trump asked White to take over the White House press secretary role, but later said he was “having a little fun.”
WHERE:
TMZ - The event took place at a White House briefing, in front of reporters.
BBC News - The proposed role was White House press secretary.
WHEN:
Business Insider - Zacharia’s tenure lasted five days.
WHY:
BBC News - Trump later characterized his request as “having a little fun.”
HOW:
BBC News - Trump made the request in a social media post over the weekend.
(UPDATED November 10, 2026 09:59 UTC)
President Trump invited UFC boss Dana White to become White House press secretary during a briefing. White declined, telling Trump he had no political aspirations and preferred staying with the UFC. Trump said he was having fun; Katie Zacharia is transitioning out after five days.
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(UPDATED November 10, 2026 01:05 UTC)
President Trump asked UFC boss Dana White to become White House press secretary, then called it a joke. White briefly took over the podium during a White House briefing and turned down the role. The request came in a social media post, while Katie Zacharia was reportedly auditioning again.