Donald Trump Clarifies Dana White Press Secretary Offer as Joke
President Donald Trump clarified that his offer to appoint UFC CEO Dana White as press secretary was a joke during a White House briefing.
Donald Trump held an impromptu White House press briefing on November 9 to clarify that his previous suggestion to appoint UFC CEO Dana White as press secretary was a joke. The offer, which Trump initially posted on social media on November 7, came as the press secretary position has remained vacant since October 16 following the departure of Katie Zacharia.
During the briefing in the James Brady Briefing Room, Dana White explicitly denied having any political aspirations or desire for the role. While White stated he does not tell the president no, he maintained that he does not want to be in politics. The exchange occurred amid broader political tension following the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections.
Trump also used the briefing to address military tensions with Iran. He stated the U.S. is locked and loaded and ready for hostilities, though he noted that immediate military action does not currently seem necessary. He expressed hope for a peace deal, noting that the two sides are talking politely. The event also included combative exchanges with reporters and a discussion regarding a potential posthumous pardon for baseball player Pete Rose.
