President Trump offered the White House press secretary role to UFC boss Dana White, prompting internet jokes that he confused him with former Pentagon spokeswoman Dana W. White, who then publicly clarified the mix-up.
President Trump's offer of the White House press secretary position to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) boss Dana White ignited a flurry of online speculation and humor. Social media users, particularly on X, theorized that Trump might have confused the longtime MMA promoter with Dana W. White, a former top Pentagon spokeswoman and assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs. Jokes about the supposed mix-up quickly went viral, with one post garnering over seven million views, suggesting someone recommended the former Pentagon official and Trump mistook her for the UFC boss. However, Dana W. White herself addressed the claims on LinkedIn, stating, "To everyone texting me congratulations: thank you, but you have the wrong Dana White." She humorously distinguished herself from the UFC boss, noting her experience at a Pentagon podium versus an octagon, adding, "It is nice for once that, that Dana White is being confused with this Dana White." Dana W. White's background includes serving as the Pentagon’s top public affairs official under then-Defense Secretary James Mattis during Trump’s first administration, as well as working as an editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal. Despite the internet buzz, there is no evidence that Trump confused the two individuals. The UFC boss has a longstanding relationship with Trump, having been a vocal supporter for years and speaking at multiple Republican National Conventions. Trump announced the offer on Truth Social, calling White a "violent Fighter and Warrior" and suggesting he bring UFC fighters as assistants to "defend us against the Lunatic Left." Dana White shared an AI-generated image of himself at the White House podium and later confirmed he was flying to Washington to meet with Trump. The White House has not yet confirmed his acceptance of the role.
