Only kidding: Trump on naming Dana White as press secretary amid mix-up buzz

US 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, a post that has been vacant since last month. Trump's Truth Social announcement over the weekend sparked an unusual mix-up buzz, with social media users speculating that he may have meant former Pentagon spokesperson Dana W White instead.The White House spokesperson post has remained vacant since Trump fired Katie Zacharia in October over a disastrous first press briefing. Zacharia had taken over five days ago following Karoline Leavitt's departure in August. Leavitt, who served as Trump's chief spokesperson for 19 months, stepped down to spend more time with her two young children."I will tell you, I was only kidding," 80-year-old Trump told reporters, explaining that he had shared photographs of prominent UFC fighters as potential assistants to White as part of the joke.Trump's remarks came a day after he took to Truth Social to announce that White, 57, had been offered the high-profile communications role and even urged his longtime ally to accept the job. The post, accompanied by an AI-generated image of White standing behind the White House press podium, had sparked speculation over whether Trump was considering an unconventional appointment. The US President said White "loves the idea" but maintained that he had not been serious about the prospect, describing the suggestion as "just a little fun".In his Saturday post, Trump described White as a "violent fighter and warrior" and urged him to take up the position. "Dana, please take the job!" the US President wrote, suggesting that White bring along several current and former UFC champions as assistants."We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other," he added.Trump also shared photographs of six UFC fighters, presenting them as potential members of White's communications team.According to a source familiar with the matter cited by CNN, White had declined the unorthodox proposal. A White House aide also told the news network that Trump was joking about the offer.MIX-UP THEORY OVER TWO DANA WHITESAdding another twist to the episode, a report by The Independent highlighted an online theory that Trump may have confused UFC boss Dana White with another person of the same name.According to the report, social media users speculated that Trump could have intended to nominate Dana W White, a woman who previously served as the Pentagon's chief spokesperson and communications policy lead at the US Department of Defence.The theory gained traction after Trump's announcement, with users suggesting that the former Pentagon official may have been recommended for the White House position but that the President mistakenly referred to the UFC chief instead.Dana W White also responded to the speculation in a LinkedIn post, thanking people for their congratulations but clarifying that they had the wrong Dana White."I've stood at the podium and taken questions from the Pentagon press corps. I have never stood in an octagon. I'd like to keep it that way," she wrote, referring to the UFC fighting arena.However, there is no confirmation that Trump actually confused the two individuals. The online speculation added an unexpected dimension to an announcement that the President subsequently dismissed as a joke.TRUMP AND DANA WHITE'S LONG ASSOCIATIONWhite has been a close Trump ally for years and has led the UFC for more than two decades. He played a prominent role in mobilising support for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and has frequently appeared alongside him at political events.Their association has extended beyond politics, with White helping bring UFC fights to the White House lawn this year.Trump had said that White would visit him at the White House on Monday, but clarified that the meeting had been planned for other reasons and was not connected to the press secretary position.- Ends(with inputs from Reuters)