diff --git a/.changeset/lucky-pianos-yell.md b/.changeset/lucky-pianos-yell.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c4d16e77efb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/lucky-pianos-yell.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@primer/react': patch
+---
+
+Set ConfirmationDialog initial focus based on the confirmationButtonVariant. When `danger` autoFocus the cancel button, otherwise autoFocus the confirmation button
diff --git a/src/Dialog/ConfirmationDialog.tsx b/src/Dialog/ConfirmationDialog.tsx
index 46bbda3bae5..3e8b4689b50 100644
--- a/src/Dialog/ConfirmationDialog.tsx
+++ b/src/Dialog/ConfirmationDialog.tsx
@@ -116,15 +116,17 @@ export const ConfirmationDialog: React.FC<React.PropsWithChildren<ConfirmationDi
   const onConfirmButtonClick = useCallback(() => {
     onClose('confirm')
   }, [onClose])
+  const isConfirmationDangerous = confirmButtonType === 'danger'
   const cancelButton: DialogButtonProps = {
     content: cancelButtonContent,
-    onClick: onCancelButtonClick
+    onClick: onCancelButtonClick,
+    autoFocus: isConfirmationDangerous
   }
   const confirmButton: DialogButtonProps = {
     content: confirmButtonContent,
     buttonType: confirmButtonType,
     onClick: onConfirmButtonClick,
-    autoFocus: true
+    autoFocus: !isConfirmationDangerous
   }
   const footerButtons = [cancelButton, confirmButton]
   return (
diff --git a/src/__tests__/ConfirmationDialog.test.tsx b/src/__tests__/ConfirmationDialog.test.tsx
index 7de379edf25..7b62f0b8290 100644
--- a/src/__tests__/ConfirmationDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/src/__tests__/ConfirmationDialog.test.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {behavesAsComponent, checkExports} from '../utils/testing'
 
 expect.extend(toHaveNoViolations)
 
-const Basic = () => {
+const Basic = ({confirmButtonType}: Pick<React.ComponentProps<typeof ConfirmationDialog>, 'confirmButtonType'>) => {
   const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
   const buttonRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null)
   const onDialogClose = useCallback(() => setIsOpen(false), [])
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ const Basic = () => {
               onClose={onDialogClose}
               cancelButtonContent="Secondary"
               confirmButtonContent="Primary"
+              confirmButtonType={confirmButtonType}
             >
               Lorem ipsum dolor sit Pippin good dog.
             </ConfirmationDialog>
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ describe('ConfirmationDialog', () => {
     cleanup()
   })
 
-  it('focuses the primary action when opened', async () => {
+  it('focuses the primary action when opened and the confirmButtonType is not set', async () => {
     const {getByText} = HTMLRender(<Basic />)
     act(() => {
       fireEvent.click(getByText('Show dialog'))
@@ -105,6 +106,26 @@ describe('ConfirmationDialog', () => {
     cleanup()
   })
 
+  it('focuses the primary action when opened and the confirmButtonType is not danger', async () => {
+    const {getByText} = HTMLRender(<Basic confirmButtonType="primary" />)
+    act(() => {
+      fireEvent.click(getByText('Show dialog'))
+    })
+    expect(getByText('Primary')).toEqual(document.activeElement)
+    expect(getByText('Secondary')).not.toEqual(document.activeElement)
+    cleanup()
+  })
+
+  it('focuses the secondary action when opened and the confirmButtonType is danger', async () => {
+    const {getByText} = HTMLRender(<Basic confirmButtonType="danger" />)
+    act(() => {
+      fireEvent.click(getByText('Show dialog'))
+    })
+    expect(getByText('Primary')).not.toEqual(document.activeElement)
+    expect(getByText('Secondary')).toEqual(document.activeElement)
+    cleanup()
+  })
+
   it('supports nested `focusTrap`s', async () => {
     const {getByText} = HTMLRender(<ShorthandHookFromActionMenu />)
     act(() => {