WEST PALM BEACH: Following a social media post a day earlier that sparked rumours about recruiting his fierce ally and indicated a combative approach to dealing with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress, President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was "only kidding" when he suggested UFC CEO Dana White could become his next White House press secretary.
Trump claimed that White, a well-known fan, "loves the idea" of accepting the position, but he maintained that he had not been serious about the proposal, calling it "just a little fun."
Trump told reporters, "I will tell you, I was only kidding," adding that he had included pictures of well-known UFC fighters as possible White aides in the joke.
In his remarks on Saturday, Trump called White a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and recommended that he appoint many current or former UFC champions as aides, claiming that they were necessary to “defend us against the Lunatic Left."
Trump said White would visit him at the White House on Monday, but he clarified that the meeting had other purposes. Trump's proposal generated conjecture and suggested a confrontational strategy for dealing with Democrats.
Trump called White a "violent fighter and warrior" and proposed hiring UFC champions as assistants in a prior social media post.
As the UFC president for over 20 years, White has been a strong ally of Trump and helped rally support for his 2024 presidential campaign.
He has also accompanied Trump to several political gatherings and helped bring UFC bouts to the White House grounds this year.
