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Trump parades Dana White out in wild White House press conference
Trump jokes about appointing UFC CEO Dana White as press secretary during surprise White House briefing.
In brief
Trump jokes about appointing UFC CEO Dana White as press secretary during surprise White House briefing. Trump joked he'd appoint Dana White as press secretary after White said he never tells the president no. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Trump and Dana White at White House
President Donald Trump gave an impromptu press briefing on Monday afternoon alongside Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White.
Trump jokes about press secretary offer
Trump joked on Friday that he had offered White the open press secretary job.
Dana White's response
Pressed by CNN's Kaitlan Collins on whether he has accepted the post recently vacated by Katie Zacharia and Karoline Leavitt, White said he never tells the president 'no'.
Trump's joke about White
Trump recalled musing last week that he would get Dana White to be his new press secretary.
Trump's clarification
Admitting he was 'sort of kidding' with the announcement, Trump noted the press ran with it and immediately 'wrote the stories'.
White's refusal
But at the end of the briefing, White conceded he does not want the role nor any other job in politics.
Trump on Iran
Trump also addressed the war in Iran, saying the US is 'locked and loaded' and ready to restart full-fledged hostilities.
Trump on military action
Though he hedged, saying he is unsure if another kinetic military operation is needed.
Trump on carrier deployment
The USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, departed San Diego en route to the Middle East in September to join two other carriers, the USS George Washington and the USS George H W Bush.
Deployment impact
The deployment adds roughly 9,000-10,000 additional sailors and Marines. Trump pledged that he would not strike Iran until after the midterm elections last Tuesday.
Trump on peace deal
But it's unclear whether he has authorized any further strikes. While further kinetic action hangs in limbo, the president has also been eager to pursue a peace deal.
Trump on Iran peace talks
Trump said Monday that negotiators in Iran are speaking with US counterparts. 'They're talking to us, and they're talking very politely'.
Trump's press confrontation
Trump also fought with the press during the surprise briefing, taking on CNN's Collins and MS NOW's Vaugh Hillyard in combative explosions.
Trump on Secretary of War
When Collins asked Trump about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth being the target of an impeachment effort led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, the president grew enraged.
Trump's insult
Trump said, 'Massie's a loser,' talking over Collins. 'He’s a loser just like you at CNN.'
Trump on Russian ties
After the reporter identified his network, Trump fired a salvo at the White House reporter. 'MS Now gets the worst ratings ... used to be MSDNC ... you're a fake network.'
The bottom line
Trump joked he'd appoint Dana White as press secretary after White said he never tells the president no.
