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CNN
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President-elect Donald Trump on Friday promoted two campaign spokespeople to lead the incoming administration’s communications department.
President Trump has named campaign spokesman Stephen Chan as White House communications director. He announced Friday night that his campaign’s national press secretary, Caroline Leavitt, would become White House press secretary.
The position of director of communications is separate from the role of press secretary, although in the past some people have held both roles at the same time.
Chung will also serve as an assistant to the president. During President Trump’s first term, he served as Director of Strategic Response. Although Mr. Chan has long been known as Mr. Trump’s punitive defender, his role has been primarily behind the camera. However, he remains active on social media and remains a vocal defender of his boss.
Chan will take on a position that saw unusual personnel changes during President Trump’s first term. During that term, six different people held the title for seven different terms. None lasted more than a year.
Anthony Scaramucci infamously held office for only 11 days during President Trump’s first term. Both he and Stephanie Grisham, the other White House communications director, have since parted ways with their former boss.
Before working on Mr. Trump’s first campaign, Mr. Chan worked as a spokesperson for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The bond between the UFC and its next president is strong. Trump often sits ringside at UFC matches, and UFC president and CEO Dana White, a longtime friend of Trump’s, spoke at this summer’s Republican National Convention.
Chan was involved with President Trump during several newsworthy incidents during the campaign, including the aftermath of an apparent confrontation between cemetery workers and Trump campaign members at Arlington National Cemetery that resulted in a reprimand from the Army. was in charge of communications. Chong promised to release a video showing the confrontation, but never did.
Mr. Levitt currently serves as the transition spokesperson for Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance. She has consistently defended Trump during the campaign, and in recent days has released a flurry of announcements from the president-elect’s staff and cabinet picks, many of which are controversial.
Levitt himself is no stranger to the White House, having served as assistant press secretary during President Trump’s first term. She will be joining a communications shop previously known for high turnover and unconventional reporting strategies.
The role of press secretary to President Trump was held at various times during President Trump’s first administration by Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Scaramucci, Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.
“Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored. Let’s Maga!” Levitt posted on X.
“Caroline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a very effective communicator,” President Trump said in a statement Friday. “I have great confidence that she will excel on the podium and deliver the message to the American people that we are making America great again.”
After the 2020 election, Mr. Levitt served as communications director for New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who was recently nominated by President Trump to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In 2022, Levitt ran for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District and won the Republican nomination in a highly contested primary, but ultimately lost to incumbent Democratic Representative Chris Pappas.
Trump’s transition team announced Friday that Trump ally Sergio Gol will serve as chief of staff and director of presidential personnel. CNN previously reported that Goh had been selected as the president’s personnel director.
“Steven Chan and Sergio Go have been trusted advisors since my first presidential election in 2016, and have worked tirelessly to guide me through my first term and to my historic victory in 2024,” President Trump said in a statement. “We have always defended America First principles.” “I’m thrilled to welcome them to my White House, just as we ‘Make America Great Again!’ ”
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
