Dana White Sets Monday Meeting With Trump Over White House Job

Dana White is due at the White House on Monday, after President Donald Trump publicly urged the UFC chief to take the press secretary job. White, speaking after a boxing event in London on Saturday, said he was heading to Washington and would have more to discuss after the meeting. He did not say whether he wanted the role. ^5,6

The Monday meeting follows Trump’s Truth Social post, which called White a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and asked him to bring six fighters as assistants. Trump named Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison. White shared an image of himself at the White House briefing podium with the words “On to the next chapter.” That did not make clear whether he was joking or considering the job. ^3,4

The six fighters would be an unusual team for a government communications office, but Trump’s post leaves the offer’s seriousness unclear. White has led the UFC for years and also runs Power Slap and the newer Zuffa Boxing venture, making the job a major change to his work. CNN reported that he had declined the offer, while White’s public comments pointed only to Monday’s meeting. ^6,10

Monday’s meeting is now the clear next step in a White House already facing a staffing shake-up. The press secretary post has been empty since Katie Zacharia left after five days; she had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who departed in August. White and Trump have been allies for years, and the White House hosted UFC fights in June. White must now say whether he will take the role. ^3,5