Table of Content
President Donald Trump brought UFC chief Dana White to the White House briefing room on Monday following a weekend joke about appointing him as press secretary. White made a surprise appearance before reporters and briefly took the podium while clarifying that he has no political ambitions.
The Origin of the Press Secretary Joke
The briefing room appearance stemmed from a social media post published by Trump on Saturday, in which he declared he wanted the UFC leader to serve as his next chief spokesman. White learned of the announcement while attending a boxing match in London, noting that the subsequent 24 hours had been insane. Trump explained that he was experiencing a difficult press day and thought suggesting White for the role would provide some humor.
During the briefing, reporters asked White whether he had any advice for the president regarding a potential posthumous pardon for baseball player Pete Rose. White stated that he never advises the president, though he added that a pardon would be fair, prompting Trump to confirm he would grant one.
After taking questions on serious topics for about half an hour, Trump asked White directly if he wanted the press secretary position or preferred to stay with the UFC. White thanked him for the offer but firmly declined, stating he wanted no part in politics.
Unusual Post-Midterm Actions by the President
Trump has increasingly engaged in unconventional behavior following the Republican Party’s significant losses in the midterm elections. Earlier in the week, he took reporters on a tour of a White House ballroom construction site, declared the Oval Office would become a national monument, and promoted a website for a memorial arch despite a court order halting the work.
The White House press secretary role has remained open since Karoline Leavitt departed at the end of August, followed by a brief five-day tenure by Katie Zacharia.
Longstanding Friendship
Trump and White share a friendship spanning decades, with Trump frequently attending UFC matches and White speaking at the past three Republican National Conventions. Earlier this summer, Trump permitted a wire-mesh UFC Octagon to be constructed on the South Lawn for a celebration combining the nation’s 250th anniversary and the president’s 80th birthday.
Calling his friend unique during the briefing, Trump joked that White would speak for a short time before resorting to physical violence against the press.
