President Donald Trump appears ready to turn the White House briefing room into his personal UFC Octagon.
After two press secretaries and a bruising midterm, the president has turned to an unlikely candidate to defend him.
Vice President JD Vance stepped up on Sept. 3, leading the first briefing after Karoline Leavitt’s departure. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to take her place in another briefing and her official replacement only lasted five days.
Still, the search for a permanent spokesperson drags on as familiar faces are running short.
Now, Trump seems convinced that someone accustomed to managing bruising confrontations might be just what his administration needs.
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Unfortunately for the president, his latest choice carries some baggage that critics have no intention of letting him forget.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had offered UFC CEO Dana White the job of White House press secretary.
Calling his longtime friend a “violent fighter and warrior,” Trump proposed bringing six MMA stars along as assistants, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje and Amanda Nunes.
“We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” he wrote, before pleading, “Dana, please take the job!”
White seemed happy to play along. He posted an altered Instagram image of himself behind the briefing room podium with the caption, “On to the next chapter.”
Neither White nor the administration confirmed whether the offer was serious, leaving Washington to wonder whether Trump was announcing an appointment or casting another reality show.
Social media users were hardly impressed with the president’s latest recruiting strategy.
“Good lord… he makes this country a laughingstock,” one person declared. Another added, “I think Trump is kidding, but is he? What does Dana White know about the workings of the administration? He’ll be answering ‘I’ll get back to you’ 99% of the time.”
One person simply snapped, “Trump’s lost his mind.”
More piled on jokes about Trump turning his presidency into a locker-room punchline and treating fighters as his press aides.
Someone else joined the discourse: “And you wonder why we got humiliated Tuesday. He never learns.”
Trump’s affection for White is hardly a recent development.
Their relationship dates back more than two decades, when Trump’s Atlantic City casino hosted UFC events that mainstream venues were unwilling to stage. White has returned that loyalty, speaking at three Republican National Conventions.
Their friendship reached another level on June 14, when White helped transform the White House South Lawn into an elaborate fighting arena for Trump’s 80th birthday celebration.
The multimillion-dollar UFC spectacle drew criticism over its enormous temporary arena, celebrity guest list and coveted seating arrangements. While wealthy executives enjoyed prime access, critics questioned whether the historic grounds had become another exclusive playground for Trump’s high-profile friends.
Even the president’s grand entrance became an unexpected attraction. Viral footage showed Trump reaching toward White during their lengthy walk to the Octagon, sparking speculation about whether he needed assistance. Although the footage did not establish that Trump was losing his balance, the moment quickly became a topic of online discussion.
However, Trump’s latest announcement revived another video involving White, and this one was considerably more troubling.
Footage from a December 2022 New Year’s Eve celebration in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, showed White’s wife, Anne, slapping him during an argument before he slapped her back.
White later issued a public apology, acknowledging that there was no excuse for striking a woman. Despite calls for his removal, he remained in his position as UFC president, and the controversy eventually faded from public attention.
Meanwhile, Trump’s communications operation has its own revolving door. Leavitt departed in August, and her successor, Katie Zacharia, left after just five days in October.
After Republican midterm losses, Trump also named Stephen Miller to replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff.
Leavitt called Miller the “perfect choice” and praised Wiles as one of the “kindest and toughest” people she knew. Her remark that it was time to “fix what’s not working” was striking from someone who once vigorously defended the administration from the podium.
Wiles stayed gracious, calling her time serving Trump the “honor of a lifetime,” even as questions swirled about her exit.
For a president trying to regain control of the narrative, putting a fight promoter in the briefing room would guarantee another round of headlines.
But with his communications team in flux, critics may wonder whether Trump needs someone who can answer tough questions or simply another loyalist willing to step into the ring for him.
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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 7, 2026
