Trump Calls Dana White Joke
The president clarified his social media post after midterm losses reshuffled his staff.
By Petra Murphy ·
President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that his offer of the White House press secretary position to UFC executive Dana White was a joke. He made the comments to reporters in Florida before leaving for Washington, D.C., noting that White is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday.
Trump explained his earlier social media announcement, saying, “I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy.” The remark followed a weekend of administrative changes triggered by the Republican Party’s losses in the Tuesday midterm elections.
The election results saw Democratic candidates secure historic wins in districts previously held by Republicans for decades. Consequently, the GOP lost control of both chambers of Congress. In response, Trump replaced his chief of staff on Friday.
Stephen Miller, the architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, was named the new chief of staff. He replaced Susie Wiles in the role. Trump followed the staff change on Saturday with a post claiming he had offered the press secretary job to White.
The White House currently has no press secretary. Katie Zacharia held the post briefly before departing after five days. She left following difficulties behind the lectern and in interviews. Trump’s clarification on Sunday put an end to speculation about White’s imminent arrival in the role.
