Trump asks UFC boss Dana White to become White House press secretary

Donald Trump has asked mixed martial arts promoter Dana White to be his new White House press secretary.

The president's administration has been without an official mouthpiece since last month, when Katie Zacharia left after five days.

White is well known as the outspoken chief executive of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and has been a long-time supporter and friend of Mr Trump.

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Writing on Truth Social, the president called White "a violent Fighter and Warrior" and said he'd offered him the press secretary job.

He name-checked a number of famous fighters, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, and said he had asked White to bring them as "assistants".

"We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left," Mr Trump added.

"Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!"

White is still leading the UFC and is also trying to build up fledgling boxing company Zuffa, so whether he has time for such a high-pressure role is unclear.

CNN reported that the UFC boss had declined the role.

But speaking at a boxing event in London, White said he would meet with Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.

The press secretary is the president's main spokesperson and hosts regular press briefings at the White House to explain and communicate policy.

A much-criticised debut from Ms Zacharia saw her out of the job in less than a week.

However, her predecessor Karoline Leavitt, who left to spend more time with family, was widely seen as a competent and calm operator.

US political analyst Calvin Dark said Mr Trump's unexpected offer could just be him "trolling".

"I wouldn't put it past Donald Trump on a Saturday afternoon to want to steal a headline or two by suggesting something facetious, and Dana White could politely refuse, and it wouldn't be anything bad," said Mr Dark.

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The friendship between the men has seen White speak at Trump rallies in the past.

The UFC also put on a big show on the White House lawn in June and its former public affairs boss, Steven Cheung, is Mr Trump's current communications director.

The president has already made one major change after his crushing loss in the mid-term elections this week, with influential adviser Stephen Miller replacing Susie Wiles as chief of staff.

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