Official portrait of Donald Trump, President of the United States, in a navy suit, white shirt, red tie and US flag pin, against a dark background; AI-recomposed version. — **Archive portrait** · Photo: Daniel Torok / The White House, Domínio público (obra do governo dos EUA) · Image credits

**Archive portrait** · Photo: Daniel Torok / The White House, Domínio público (obra do governo dos EUA) · Image credits

‘Of course, I was kidding’: Donald Trump on US press secretary offer to UFC chief Dana White

Told by 15 newspapers in 10 countries, between 01:00 and 08:00 on 9 November 2026.

In this story

The headline in each newspaper

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Trump Was ‘Only Kidding’ in Asking Dana White to Be His Press Secretary
AL JAZEERA (STATE MEDIA): A joke or test? Why Trump floated UFC’s Dana White as his press secretary
THE GUARDIAN: Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ about making UFC’s Dana White next press secretary

In short

Donald Trump said he was only joking when he suggested UFC chief Dana White become his next press secretary.1 2 3 4 5 6 Al Jazeera asks whether the idea was a joke or a test.7 PBS NewsHour describes the idea as 'just a little fun'.8

AIMade at 00:11, only from the headlines. Each number links to the source headline. Written when the story had 8 newspapers; it is redone when new newspapers join. How it is made

Compare the papers

What newspapers from several countries agree on, where the accounts differ and who is involved, so each reader can draw their own conclusions.

Common ground

Dana White, president and CEO of the UFC, appeared in the White House briefing room alongside President Donald Trump.1 2 3 +25 newspapers from 5 countries
Dana White declined the White House job or political role that Trump offered him.6 7 8 +25 newspapers from 4 countries
Dana White said he has “zero” interest or political aspirations.7 82 newspapers from 2 countries

Where accounts differ

According to Poder360, Trump published an AI-generated video of the UFC CEO at the White House, a fact the other headlines do not mention.11
Al Jazeera describes White taking the White House podium during a Washington visit, while other headlines describe a briefing room scene of confusion.5 1

Who is involved

President Donald Trump made the job offer to Dana White during the White House appearance.6 9 10
Dana White, UFC president and CEO, rejected the offer and said he has no interest in politics.6 7 8

Background

2001Dana White is president and CEO of the UFC, which he and the Fertittas bought in 2001 and which was sold in 2016 to a WME-IMG-led consortium for $4 billion.W
2025Dana White was elected to the board of directors of Meta Platforms in 2025.W

AIMade at 00:41 from 11 headlines from 9 countries; the background, from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Each number links to the source. Rules

The headlines, side by side

Each headline is the original, as the newspaper published it, in the order it arrived. The selection follows the public grouping rule, with no AI.

Highlighted words are used only by that newspaper, among the headlines in the same language. They show what each one chose to stress.

The New York Times · United States · 01:15Trump Was ‘Only Kidding’ in Asking Dana White to Be His Press SecretaryRead at the newspaper ↗
Al Jazeera (state media) · Qatar · 05:25A joke or test? Why Trump floated UFC’s Dana White as his press secretaryRead at the newspaper ↗
The Guardian · United Kingdom · 07:20Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ about making UFC’s Dana White next press secretaryRead at the newspaper ↗
The Indian Express · India · 07:00‘Of course, I was kidding’: Donald Trump on US press secretary offer to UFC chief Dana WhiteRead at the newspaper ↗
Dawn · Pakistan · 08:40Trump says he was 'only kidding' about naming UFC CEO as White House press secretaryRead at the newspaper ↗
BBC News · United Kingdom · 09:00Trump says he was 'kidding' about Dana White press secretary offerRead at the newspaper ↗
Geo News · Pakistan · 10:45Trump says 'only kidding' about naming UFC CEO as White House press secretaryRead at the newspaper ↗
PBS NewsHour · United States · 16:30Trump says idea to make UFC's Dana White his press secretary 'just a little fun'Read at the newspaper ↗
Fox News · United States · 22:35Dana White takes questions at podium during White House briefing with TrumpRead at the newspaper ↗
The Sydney Morning Herald · Australia · 22:25‘Always wanted to do this’: Dana White takes questionsRead at the newspaper ↗
Rappler · Philippines · 02:01Trump sets off bedlam in White House briefing room with UFC chief Dana WhiteRead at the newspaper ↗
The Hindu · India · 04:55UFC chief Dana White declines Donald Trump's White House job offerRead at the newspaper ↗
Der Spiegel · Germany · 04:40Donald Trump tritt mit Kampfsportboss Dana White vor die Presse im Weißen HausRead at the newspaper ↗
The National (state media) · United Arab Emirates · 06:35Dana White tells US President Donald Trump he has 'zero' interest in politicsRead at the newspaper ↗
Punch · Nigeria · 08:45UFC chief Dana White declines Trump’s ‘jovial’ White House job offerRead at the newspaper ↗

Words in common

white
dana
ufc
press