Dana White plans to meet the US President in Washington on Monday despite reports that he turned down the role.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White has declined an offer from US President Donald Trump to serve as White House press secretary, according to a CNN report cited by the Hindustan Times. Trump made the proposal on Saturday via a post on Truth Social, where he described White as a "violent fighter and warrior."
The President suggested that White bring six UFC fighters as assistants to help defend the administration against the "Lunatic Left". The fighters named in the post included Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes.
While a source told CNN that White turned down the offer, a White House aide suggested the President may have been joking. White, who was in London for a boxing event on Saturday, told reporters he plans to fly to Washington, DC, to meet Trump on Monday.
When asked about balancing the role with his current responsibilities, White said, "Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already." He added that he would have more to say after his meeting with the President.
The press secretary position has been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left in August. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, held the role for less than a week before leaving.
The search for a spokesperson comes as Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress during the midterm elections.
