President Donald Trump has offered the job of White House press secretary to Dana White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), according to multiple news reports.
Trump made the announcement Saturday on his Truth Social platform, calling White a "violent Fighter and Warrior" and saying he had asked White to bring MMA stars as assistants, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harrison. Trump noted that some of these fighters are not from the United States.
The press secretary role has been largely vacant since Karoline Leavitt stepped aside in August, with Katie Zacharia serving only five days in the position.
White responded on his Instagram Stories by posting a photo of himself standing behind the White House press podium with the caption "On to the next chapter." However, CNN reported that a source close to White said he had declined the offer. White has not publicly commented on the job, and it remains unclear whether Trump's post was serious or a joke.
White has previously expressed reluctance about entering politics. In May, he told NPR that he didn't like politics and found it "dirty" and "the nastiest business there is."
White is scheduled to meet with Trump on Monday to discuss the offer, according to Fox News and other outlets.
Reaction on social media was mixed, with some calling the pick "awesome" and others calling it "embarrassing," according to AL.com.
Trump's post also mentioned that White should bring assistants, including some who are not from the United States, referring to Russian-born fighters Makhachev and Nurmagomedov, as well as Brazilian-born Nunes, who is now an American citizen.
It is not yet known whether White will accept the position.