Trump offers White House press secretary job to UFC boss

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has offered the job of White House press secretary to Dana White, the head of the UFC. According to TV5Monde, citing an AFP dispatch, the president made the announcement on his Truth Social network. He says that Dana White has not yet given his answer, and describes him as a "fighter and violent warrior".

Dana White, 57, was in London for a fight. He told reporters he was heading "immediately" to Washington to see the president on Monday, adding that he would have more to say after that. It is therefore still unknown whether he will accept.

A message addressed directly to Dana White

In his message, Trump begs Dana White to take the job: "Dana, please take this job". He also urges him to surround himself with deputies from the world of MMA, including two Russians and a Brazilian woman, even though some of them are not from our country. He justifies the choice by the need to defend against the left, in terms the AFP reports as follows: "We need these people to defend us against the lunatic left".

Also according to the AFP, Dana White is close to the president. He spoke on stage during Trump's victory speech on November 6, 2024, and he now sits on the board of directors of Meta. The UFC also held an MMA tournament at the White House in June, for the president's 80th birthday.

A post without an occupant since Katie Zacharia's ouster

TV5Monde and franceinfo agree: the press secretary post has been vacant since October 16, the date on which Katie Zacharia was fired. According to TV5Monde, she had given only one press briefing, which was judged laborious, and she was criticized for having lied about her legal qualifications.

A shake-up following the midterm defeat

The offer made to Dana White comes the day after the appointment of Stephen Miller, an adviser to Trump, as White House chief of staff. He replaces Susie Wiles and takes up his duties on Monday. The interview is to be broadcast in full on Sunday.

These appointments follow Tuesday's midterm elections. Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress, according to TV5Monde. France 24 writes that they are assured of at least 250 members in the House of Representatives and 54 senators, while the count continues in several states. On Thursday, Trump went back, without evidence, to his accusations of electoral fraud, according to France 24.

TV5Monde reports that Trump has also asked his Justice Department to investigate the Democrats' threats to launch impeachment proceedings against members of his administration. He calls them "blackmail". Democratic leaders have announced that their priority, starting in January, will be to launch congressional investigations targeting Trump, his administration and those close to him. They accuse them in particular of corruption.