Stephanie Grisham Out As White House Press Secretary
Stephanie Grisham is stepping down as White House press secretary and returning to the East Wing to serve as first lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff and spokesperson, the first lady’s office announced Tuesday.
“I am excited to welcome Stephanie back to the team in this new role,” the first lady said in a statement. “She has been a mainstay and true leader in the Administration from even before day one, and I know she will excel as Chief of Staff.”
Kayleigh McEnany, a spokeswoman for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign and a former CNN commentator, will replace Grisham, The New York Times reported.
Grisham’s new role, first reported by CNN, will begin immediately, according to the first lady’s office. Lindsay Reynolds, a former event planner, resigned as the first lady’s chief of staff “early this week to spend time with her family,” the office said.
“I continue to be honored to serve both the President and First Lady in the Administration,” Grisham said in a statement. “My replacements will be announced in the coming days and I will stay in the West Wing to help with a smooth transition for as long as needed.”
During her time as White House press secretary, Grisham never once held a traditional press briefing. She scoffed at a letter in January from past presidential aides that called for a return of the regular briefings.
“The press has unprecedented access to President Trump, yet they continue to complain because they can’t grandstand on TV,” Grisham told Axios at the time. “They’re not looking for information, they’re looking for a moment.”
Grisham replaced Sarah Huckabee Sanders as press secretary in June 2019. Since then, Grisham has also served as the White House’s communications director. Previously, she worked as the first lady’s communications director.
CNN reported that Grisham’s departure is part of a shake-up on the White House communications team set in motion by Trump’s new...
