US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was “only kidding” when he suggested Ultimate Fighting ​Championship (UFC) Chief Executive Officer Dana White could become his next White House press secretary, after a social media post a day earlier stirred speculation about recruiting his feisty ally and signalled a combative approach to dealing with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress.

Trump said White, a prominent supporter, “loves the idea” of taking the job but insisted he had not been serious about the prospect, describing the suggestion as “just a little fun”.

“I will tell you, I was only kidding,” Trump told reporters, explaining that he had posted photographs of prominent UFC fighters as potential assistants to White as part of the joke.

In Saturday’s post, Trump described White as a “violent Fighter and Warrior” and suggested he bring several current or former UFC champions to serve as assistants, saying they were needed to “defend us against the Lunatic Left”.

Trump said White would visit him at the White House on Monday, but added that the meeting was planned for other reasons.

White, who has led the UFC for more than two decades, has been a close Trump ally and helped mobilise support for his 2024 presidential campaign.

He has also appeared alongside Trump at several political events and helped bring UFC fights to the White House lawn this year.