Hope Hicks has been named the permanent White House Communications Director, according to multiple reports. She had been working as the interim director after Anthony Scaramucci left the role in July.
Hicks has remained one of Donald Trump’s most loyal staffers since early in his campaign. The 28-year-old began as a spokesperson for the bombastic candidate, though she rarely spoke with reporters, much less appeared on TV. Before working for Trump, she had never worked in politics, but for public relations firm Hiltzik Strategies, which Ivanka Trump used for her clothing line.
During the campaign, she helped Trump tweet, decided who would and would not receive interviews with him, and attempted to put out several fires: Pope Francis calling out Trump’s wall rhetoric; Corey Lewandowski allegedly grabbing Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields’s arm; and the leaked Access Hollywood tape that produced the infamous “grab ’em by the p—” line.
The communications director role has been a difficult one to fill permanently for the Trump administration. Mike Dubke, the first to hold the position for Trump, resigned in May, citing “personal reasons.” Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer held the position briefly while it was open before Anthony Scaramucci came into the role for his infamous 10-day stint.
We’ll see if Hicks can continue her longevity in Trump’s White House.