White House: Dana White declines press secretary role
UFC chief Dana White stood in for President Trump at a Monday briefing after a Saturday social media post sparked speculation about the position.
By Yuki Melnyk ·
The White House press secretary position has been vacant since late August, a gap filled by a series of unconventional events this week that culminated in UFC chief Dana White standing at the podium on Monday.
The sequence began on Saturday when President Donald Trump posted on social media that he wanted White to serve as the 38th White House press secretary. Trump described White as a violent fighter and warrior. The announcement caught White off guard while he was attending a boxing match in London. White told reporters on Monday that the president called him to explain the post, describing the last 24 hours as insane.
Sunday night brought clarification. Trump stated he was kidding but noted that White is a capable guy. By Monday, the White House had organized a surprise briefing where Trump brought White into the room. The event was so hastily arranged that officials did not have time to affix the presidential seal to the lectern.
White took the podium and asked for the first question. He clarified that he has zero political aspirations. Some reporters played along with the scenario. White was asked for advice on the possibility of issuing a posthumous pardon for Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader. White said he does not advise the president on anything ever but thought it was fair. Trump interjected to say he would give Rose a pardon.
Trump then took over the briefing. He answered questions for about half an hour on the midterm elections, the war in Iran, and other serious topics. Near the end, Trump asked White if he wanted to be press secretary of the United States or stay with the UFC. White thanked him for the offer and said he did not want to be in politics.
This event follows a pattern of unusual presidential actions since the midterm elections last week. Democrats won seats in deep red states including Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas. On Wednesday, Trump took reporters on a tour of the White House ballroom construction site and signed a steel beam. On Thursday, he declared the Oval Office a national monument. On Friday, the White House promoted a website for a memorial arch despite a court order blocking work on it.
The press secretary seat is currently open. Karoline Leavitt left the post at the end of August. Katie Zacharia tried out for the role during a brief, tumultuous week but left after five days. Trump and White have been friends for decades. Trump has attended UFC events and allowed the sport to use the South Lawn in June for America's 250th anniversary. He described White as unique, noting the only problem is that White will beat the hell out of you after talking for a little while.
