Trump says he was “only kidding” about offering Dana White a White House press secretary role, as White House visit is scheduled for Monday

President Donald Trump said he was “only kidding” when he discussed the possibility of having Dana White, the UFC president, serve as White House press secretary, while also confirming that White is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday. The comment came as several outlets reported Trump’s earlier remarks about offering White the role, followed by White’s public statements indicating he planned to meet Trump at the White House.

The Trump remarks circulated after the President linked White’s name to the press secretary job, prompting immediate questions about whether the offer was serious or a public-relations moment. In later comments reported by multiple outlets, Trump said he was joking, framing the idea as something he had not meant literally.

NPR reported that White said he would meet with Trump on Monday, characterizing the visit as part of the conversation sparked by Trump’s remarks. According to that report, White indicated he would discuss the situation directly with the President rather than treating the offer as purely symbolic.

The Washington Times and The Hill also reported that Trump had asked White to take the White House press secretary job, describing the exchange as Trump raising the idea publicly in front of audiences. Those reports described Trump’s earlier offer as informal and on-the-spot, rather than as a formal personnel process.

The Hill reported Trump’s comments, while Fox News reported Trump’s later characterization that he was “only kidding.” The New York Post similarly described Trump’s remarks as a direct ask for White to take the role, again distinguishing the exchange from a conventional announcement of White House staffing decisions.