Trump joins UFC chief Dana White for briefing room Q&A on defense, Iran and Nvidia CEO controversy

President Donald Trump made an unannounced appearance in the White House briefing room on Monday, sitting alongside UFC President Dana White to take questions from reporters. The pairing followed Trump’s earlier public suggestion that White could serve as White House press secretary, a comment he later described as a joke after White declined the role.

Trump said he invited White because “he loves the idea and I love the idea,” adding that the administration was dealing with a “very bad press day.” White responded to a light-hearted query about a hypothetical cage match with former President Joe Biden by calling Trump “the toughest, most resilient human being I’ve ever met.” When asked if he had turned down the press secretary offer, White said, “I don’t tell the president ‘no’ to anything.”

Reporters then pressed Trump on several topics. On Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces renewed impeachment articles introduced by Representative Thomas Massie, Trump defended the secretary, stating that Hegseth is “certainly winning the war” in Iran. He described Iran as “a bully of the Middle East” that has been “decapitated” and said the United States is working toward a “long-term solution.”

Regarding the Iran conflict, Trump claimed that the situation is improving, noting that allies are “a lot safer than they were six months ago.” He declined to declare the war over, emphasizing the need to protect regional partners.

The briefing also covered recent allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who reportedly admitted to an extramarital affair with a person suspected of espionage for China. Trump expressed surprise at the news, describing Huang as “a very high quality person” he has known for a long time, and said he hopes there is no problem. He added that Huang told him he had “absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.”

“We were having a very bad press day… 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.” – President Donald Trump

“I don’t tell the president ‘no’ to anything.” – Dana White

“He’s certainly winning the war. Iran would love to make a deal, and they’ve been obliterated.” – President Donald Trump

“I’m amazed because I view him as a very high quality person. I’ve known him a long time… I hope there’s no problem. I believe he’s suffering greatly.” – President Donald Trump