After Midterm Losses, Trump Asks Dana White to Bring Six Fighters as Press Secretary
A public offer with uncertainty
Trump made the request in a social media post, naming White, the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, for the White House press secretary position. It remains unclear whether the public offer was genuine.
The White House and TKO Holdings, UFC’s parent company, were asked for comment. White posted, “On to the next chapter,” but it was not clear whether he meant it seriously.
Fighters mentioned in post
Alongside photos of six fighters, Trump wrote that they were needed to defend against what he called the “Lunatic Left.” He suggested White bring the fighters with him if he took the job. Islam Makhachev, a Russian fighter, was among those Trump named. The post came after Republicans lost their congressional majorities in the US midterm elections.
White’s history with journalists
White has had confrontations with journalists at UFC news conferences. In 2009, he released a video tirade containing profanity and an anti-gay slur while responding to a journalist’s report about changes to backstage credentials at UFC events.
White and his business partners bought the struggling UFC organization for $2m in 2001, when the sport faced strong opposition from both major parties. In 2025, White told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that venues rejected the UFC and worried about the crowd it might attract.
Key points
- Trump publicly asked UFC boss Dana White to become White House press secretary.
- It is unclear whether the offer was genuine; the White House and TKO Holdings were asked for comment.
- Trump’s post included photos of six fighters, including Islam Makhachev.
- White has clashed with journalists and bought the struggling UFC with partners for $2m in 2001.