A pugnacious Trump wants Dana White, head of an MMA federation, as White House spokesman

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had offered the position of White House press secretary to Dana White, one of his close associates who runs the UFC, the world's leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.

Following Friday's appointment of his advisor Stephen Miller, a representative of the hard right, as White House chief of staff, the Republican president thus confirms his displayed pugnacity towards the future Democratic parliamentary majority, after the rout of his camp in the crucial midterm elections on Tuesday.

Donald Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social network, specifying that Dana White, described as a "violent fighter and warrior", had not yet accepted the proposal.

But his message was rebroadcast by an X account from the White House and the person in question, who was attending a fight in London, posted on his Instagram account a photo showing him at the podium in the White House press room, with the caption "Towards the new chapter", and also relayed this message.

"Dana, please take this job," wrote Donald Trump, urging her to surround herself with deputies from the world of MMA, including two Russians and a Brazilian, "even if some are not from our country."

"We need these people to defend us against the crazy left," he added, referring to the victorious Democratic opposition.

Previously, Donald Trump had stated on Truth Social that he was ordering his Department of Justice to investigate the Democrats' threats, which he described as "blackmail," to use their future majority to initiate impeachment proceedings against members of his government.

Democratic leaders have indicated that one of the priorities of the new majority in Congress starting in January will be to launch congressional investigations against Donald Trump, his government, and his associates, whom they accuse of corruption.

Defense Minister Pete Hegseth or Justice Minister Todd Blanche could be targeted in particular.

The strategic position of White House press secretary has been vacant since the dismissal on October 16 of Katie Zacharia, who was fired after just under a week.

Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday in June by hosting an MMA tournament at the White House, organized by the UFC.

Dana White, with a shaved head and athletic build, had appeared on stage on November 6, 2024 during Donald Trump's victory speech in the presidential election as well as during his nomination at the Republican convention in July 2024.

This conservative and masculinist figure, who describes Donald Trump as his "buddy", has since joined the board of directors of Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), a symbol of the conservative turn taken by Mark Zuckerberg, an MMA enthusiast.