Donald Trump Calls Dana White Press Secretary Pitch a Kidding Remark

A brief press secretary stint

The press secretary position became vacant after Katie Zacharia held it for five days. Trump then raised Dana White, the UFC president, as a possible replacement, prompting surprise and uncertainty in media coverage.

Reports differed at first about whether White was interested. The article says it later became clear he would not make a major career change to take the post.

Trump says it was a joke

On Sunday, Trump told reporters that his suggestion was not serious. He also said White was enthusiastic about the idea and described him as capable. Trump linked the joke to fighters he had named as possible assistants, including Khabib and Justin Gaethje. He said White would visit him on Monday, but for other reasons, adding that people had responded positively to the suggestion.

A possible name mix-up

One theory raised in the article is that Trump could have meant Dana W. White, who served as a Pentagon spokeswoman during his first term. The article offers no evidence that the two were confused.

Another possibility is that the former spokeswoman’s name appeared on a candidate list and prompted Trump to contact the UFC president. The account also leaves open that Trump was simply joking; neither Dana White is set to become press secretary for now.