UFC chief Dana White found himself in the White House briefing room Monday, making a surprise appearance alongside President Donald Trump, and the whole thing kicked off with a joke about him being the next White House press secretary that White was definitely not laughing along with. The impromptu briefing was so hastily organized, officials did not even have time to affix the presidential seal to the lectern from which Trump spoke.
The “Offer” That Wasn’t An Offer
President Trump first put the idea out there on social media Saturday, announcing he wanted “the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior” as his next chief spokesman. The problem? White was caught completely off-guard, hearing about it while at a boxing match in London! He told reporters on Monday, “He called me and told me that he had done this.” White added that “the last 24 hours of my life has been insane.” You could feel his bewilderment, especially as he flat out stated, “I have zero political aspirations,” and later, even more directly, “I do not want to be in politics, no.” The man is all about the octagon, not the Oval Office briefing room, clear as day.
A Wild Briefing, A Pete Rose Interjection
Once in the briefing room, White played along a bit, saying, “I’ve always wanted to do this,” before bellowing, “Who has the first question?” He genuinely marvelled, “I can’t believe you actually have questions for me.” One reporter even asked White for advice on a posthumous pardon for baseball legend Pete Rose. White’s response? “I don’t advise the president on anything ever,” but added, “I think it’s fair.” Trump then jumped in, saying, “I’d give Pete Rose a pardon.” The President explained he had been having a “very bad press day” and thought suggesting White as the 38th White House press secretary might be “good for a laugh.” Trump said, “We thought we’d have a little fun and we brought Dana here,” even adding White “would be fantastic” in the role. Eventually, Trump took over the serious questions, but not before turning back to White and asking if he’d like to be press secretary or “just want to stay with this ridiculous UFC?” White’s reply was quick: “Thank you for the offer,” followed by his firm declaration, “I do not want to be in politics, no.”
Trump’s Post-Midterm Streak Continues
This whole bizarre briefing was actually just the latest in a series of “unexpected choices” from President Trump since Republicans faced “sweeping losses” during last week’s midterm elections. The White House and UFC would not even clarify if the initial social media post was serious for hours after it dropped. Trump finally admitted on Sunday night that “I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy.” But the peculiar moves did not stop there. The day before voting, Trump used a major speech to talk about overhauling the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool. Then, after Democrats won big across the country, including Senate seats in traditionally red states like Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas, he gave reporters a tour of a construction site at the White House ballroom and even signed a steel beam. So what now for Dana White, who clearly wants zero part of politics? And will we see more wild briefings like this one after a rough week for the GOP?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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