Trump jokes about Dana White press secretary pick as Wiles exits
The president said his social media post was lighthearted, even as he installed Stephen Miller as chief of staff following midterm losses.
By Luana Sato ·
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his proposal to name UFC owner Dana White as White House press secretary was merely for amusement. Trump made the claim after posting on social media on Saturday that he had extended the job offer to his friend. The president described the gesture as “just a little fun” while speaking to reporters in Florida before departing for the White House.
The remarks came two days after a major political shift. Democrats secured historic victories in Tuesday’s midterm elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress. These wins included seats in districts Republicans had held for decades. The defeat triggered immediate changes in the administration’s leadership structure.
On Friday, Trump replaced Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, a longtime aide who designed the administration’s strict immigration policies. This move occurred shortly after the president briefly appointed Katie Zacharia to the press secretary role. Zacharia left the position after five days, citing struggles with the lectern and interviews. Trump currently lacks a confirmed successor for that post.
Trump suggested that White might still be interested in the role despite the president’s casual tone. “I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy,” Trump told reporters. He noted that White is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday to meet with the president.
The sequence of events highlights the rapid turnover in the executive branch following the electoral results. The administration moved quickly to install Miller as chief of staff and explore options for the communications team, all within a span of 48 hours after the midterm count was finalized.
