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Trump taps UFC boss Dana White for White House press secretary role

The US president-elect has offered the position to the mixed martial arts promotion chief, as the White House seeks to fill a vacancy that has persisted for several weeks.

LSN Malaysia · 8 November 2026

Trump taps UFC boss Dana White for White House press secretary role

Donald Trump has extended an offer to Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, to serve as White House press secretary, according to reports. The position has remained unfilled since mid-October, when Katie Zacharia departed after holding the role for less than a week.

White's appointment, should he accept, would represent an unconventional choice for the high-profile communications position. The UFC executive has maintained a prominent public profile through his leadership of the major combat sports organization and has developed a close relationship with Trump over several years.

The White House press secretary role carries significant responsibility, requiring the officeholder to serve as the primary spokesperson for the administration and conduct regular briefings with members of the media. The extended vacancy underscores the challenges the incoming administration has faced in filling key staffing positions.

White's potential move from sports management to government communications would mark a notable career shift, reflecting Trump's tendency to tap figures from outside traditional political circles for senior roles within his administration.