(This story first appeared on USA TODAY.)
If Dana White accepts the White House press secretary job offered by President Donald Trump, the FCC might be working overtime to regulate profane language on broadcast television and radio.
White, the UFC’s CEO, has distinguished himself a lot – including being one of the most publicly foul-mouthed leaders in sports history.
In fact, during the press conference at the UFC event held on the White House lawn on June 14, White dropped five f-bombs and used other profanities five times.
Of course, Trump is unlikely to be among those offended by White's obscenities. The Washington Post reportedTrump's vulgar language has spiked during his second term and the New York Times reported that Trump's public speech
has gotten more profane than it was when he first ran for president a decade ago.
Dana White doesn't care if you're offended
White is known not only for his colorful speech, but also for his tolerance of offensive speech. After Josh Hokit won his heavyweight fight during the UFC event at the White House, Hokit blurted out during his post-fight interview that Michelle Obama “is a man.’’
White called Hokit's comments "disgusting," but Hokit was not disciplined. In fact, Hokit is scheduled to fight for the UFC heavyweight title Nov. 14 in Madison Square Garden while White continues to lean on free speech for not disciplining fighters who have used racist, homophobic, and antisemitic language.
Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, has been accused of using offensive language repeatedly. In May, during a broadcast of Brand Risk Promotions Event 14 on May 2026, Strickland, who is white, said the n-word twice.
In 2025, UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell said on a podcast that Hitler was "a good guy'' and "fought for his country.''Mitchell denied the Holocaust occurred and lashed out at Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities.
White responded, saying, “I’ve heard a lot of dumb, ignorant (expletive) in my day, but this one’s probably the worst.”
But White also said, “I don’t have to love it, you don’t have to love it. That’s the beautiful thing about this business, for all of you who hate Bryce Mitchell, you get to see him hopefully get his ass whooped on global television.”
At a UFC media day this year, shortly after the Super Bowl, a reporter asked what Strickland thought of singer Bad Bunny's performance at the halftime show. Strickland launched into a rant and directed a homophobic slur at singer Bad Bunny.
"It's a nightmare,'' White said, then pointed the finger at the media for asking questions that would insight Strickland.
How much is too much? Dana White could push the limit
How will White respond to Trump’s offer to take over as the White House’s press secretary? In 2024, on short notice, Trump asked White to introduce him at the Republican National Convention.
White answered the call with an emphatic yes. And, perhaps even more incredibly, White made it through a 5 ½-minute speech without uttering a single dirty word.
As studies have shown, Trump is more profane than ever. And in 2024, the Saturday Evening Post reported that Americans are swearing more than ever.
How much is too much?
Perhaps Dana White will drawn the line.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is America ready for UFC's Dana White as White House press secretary? | Opinion
