Trump says he was 'only kidding' about naming Dana White press secretary

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was joking when he suggested appointing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief Dana White as White House press secretary, walking back an offer he made publicly a day earlier.

Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he was "only kidding" about the appointment, although he indicated that White was enthusiastic about the idea.

Trump said he planned to speak with White on Monday about other matters.

The clarification came after Trump announced Saturday on his Truth Social platform that he had offered the job to White, a longtime friend and political supporter.

In the post, he called White a "violent Fighter and Warrior" and suggested that several UFC fighters could serve as his assistants at the White House.

White, who was in London for a boxing event Saturday, subsequently told reporters that he planned to meet Trump at the White House on Monday.

He did not explicitly confirm whether he was considering the position.

Shake-up in Trump administration

White also shared Trump's announcement on Instagram alongside an image of himself standing behind the White House press briefing room podium.

The exchange comes amid a broader shake-up in the Trump administration following Republican losses in Tuesday's midterm elections, which saw Democrats win control of both chambers of Congress.

On Friday, Trump announced that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff.

The White House press secretary position has remained vacant since Katie Zacharia left the role after just five days, following the departure of Karoline Leavitt in August.

White has been a prominent Trump supporter for years and appeared at several Republican National Conventions. The two have also attended UFC events together, including a June event at the White House marking the US' 250th anniversary.

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Photo: AFP Archive