Trump tag teams briefing room appearance with UFC’s Dana White to defend Hegseth, Iran and Nvidia’s Huang

Trump tag teams briefing room appearance with UFC’s Dana White to defend Hegseth, Iran and Nvidia’s Huang Trump fiercely stood up against criticism of his Pentagon chief and their Iran war, while also backing tech leader Jensen Huang after news broke that he had an affair with a suspected Chinese spy - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Donald Trump has given a rare appearance in the White House briefing room, tag-teaming with his friend, UFC President Dana White, to defend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Iran war and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The president has faced growing scrutiny since Republicans lost control of Congress in a crushing midterm election defeat. To help take on the press during a blistering news cycle, Trump brought White into the briefing room after semi-jokingly offering him the vacant job of White House press secretary. “I thought I'd bring Dane here because he loves the idea and I love the idea. The only thing is, we have other things we have to think about,” Trump told reporters Monday. White was shocked when reporters actually started asking him questions. It started with a softball when one reporter asked whether Trump or his Democratic rival, former President Joe Biden, would win in a UFC cage match. White replied with a compliant to Trump, calling him “the toughest, most resilient human being that I’ve ever met in my entire life.” When asked whether White declined the press secretary job, the UFC chief said, “I don’t tell the president ‘no’ to anything.” It remains unclear whether White will actually take on the role, which was once filled by Karoline Leavitt before she left at the end of August to spend more time with family. Katie Zacharia was chosen to replace Leavitt last month but only lasted five days on the job. On Monday, Trump explained his decision to offer White a spot at the lectern: “We were having a very bad press day...I don’t know why; I thought of his name. He’s been my friend for a long time. I said, ‘You know, I think I'm going to get Dana White to be my new press secretary.’ I said it to a group of the press, and that was it. I was sort of kidding.” This is a developing story... Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] IE WHITE H WASHINGTON