The key facts

  • Dana White turned down the White House press secretary post, CNN reports
  • Trump suggested he take assistants from among UFC fighters, including Nurmagomedov and Makhachev
  • The vacancy opened after Katya Zakaria left, having served five days

A refusal after a public offer

UFC CEO Dana White turned down an offer from US President Donald Trump to become White House press secretary. This was reported by CNN, citing a source familiar with the situation. The offer was made on November 7: in a post on Truth Social, Trump called White an outstanding fighter and warrior who could effectively stand up to political opponents.

A team of MMA fighters

According to CNN, the president suggested that the UFC chief bring with him assistants from among well-known mixed martial arts fighters. Among the candidates named were Russians Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, Americans Justin Gaethje and Daniel Cormier, as well as Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison. Trump expressed confidence that such a team could defend the administration from attacks by political opponents. Earlier, Life.ru reported both on the offer itself to Whiteand on the plans to bring Nurmagomedov and Makhachev into the administration.

Context

Trump and White have maintained a close relationship for several decades: White took part in the Republican's campaign events, and in June 2026 he organized a mixed martial arts tournament on the White House grounds to mark the president's 80th birthday. White himself has previously stated repeatedly that he does not seek a political career. The staffing initiative emerged amid the search for a new press secretary after the departure of Karoline Leavitt's predecessor Katya Zakaria, who lasted only five days in the post. The publications do not say who will ultimately be appointed to the position.