UFC President White cast as press secretary, MMA stars as aides

White to visit White House Monday after flying back from UK

US President Donald Trump (left) and UFC President Dana White. [AFP]
US President Donald Trump (left) and UFC President Dana White. [AFP]

A roughly one-minute animated clip that US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday (local time) has drawn widespread attention.

The Hill, a US congressional news outlet, described the animation Sunday (local time) as being in the style of the animated sitcom "Family Guy."

A still from the roughly one-minute animation that US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday (local time). [Truth Social]
A still from the roughly one-minute animation that US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday (local time). [Truth Social]

In the clip, a row of muscular UFC fighters lines the podium of the White House briefing room, with UFC President Dana White standing at the center. White introduces himself as the new White House press secretary, and when reporters begin asking uncomfortable questions, he calls on the fighters by name — and they proceed to knock the reporters down or drag them out of the room.

Reporters who had been shouting "fascism" in protest end up sprawled across the floor. Trump then walks in and asks, "How did the briefing go?" White replies, "It was fiery, but mostly calm." Trump says "Great" with satisfaction and takes a sip of cola.

In one exchange, a reporter asks whether Michelle Obama — wife of former President Barack Obama — plans to run in the 2028 presidential election, to which a fighter responds, "Michelle is a man." The line echoes remarks made by UFC heavyweight Josh Hawkit after competing at a White House lawn event last June, when he said in an interview, "Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right? Americans!"

A still from the roughly one-minute animation that US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday (local time). [Truth Social]
A still from the roughly one-minute animation that US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday (local time). [Truth Social]

Trump announced Sunday on Truth Social that he had offered White the press secretary role, calling him a "savage fighter and warrior." He said he also asked a roster of MMA stars — Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison — to join as aides.

Trump described the UFC fighters as "these people who will protect us from the radical left." White is a 25-year friend of Trump and an ardent political supporter who has delivered pro-Trump speeches at three Republican National Conventions.

US media have been speculating about how seriously to take the offer of the press secretary role to White. White cut short a trip to the United Kingdom and said he is set to meet Trump at the White House on Monday.

Trump has long been hostile toward media outlets and reporters critical of him. He recently barred journalists from some outlets, including CNN, from the White House, and has suggested that biased coverage played a role in his midterm election losses. From Trump's perspective, having a fighter-like press secretary who could knock them all down may be exactly what he wants.

The White House press secretary position has been vacant since Caroline Leavitt resigned last August. Last month, Trump nominated conservative broadcaster Katie Zacharia for the post, only to fire her four days later amid questions about her qualifications and allegations of fabricated credentials.


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