Hicks no stranger to president’s ways
Interim communications director has worked with first family since 2014
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Others tried without much success, and now the job of keeping President Donald Trump on message has fallen to Hope Hicks, a young aide who entered his orbit not knowing the ride would eventually take her to the pinnacle of politics.
Word of Hicks’ promotion to interim communications director — the 28-year-old was already in charge of “strategic” communications — landed this week just as the White House confronted one of its biggest messaging challenges.
After Trump went off script and blamed “both sides” for deadly violence between white supremacists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Va., the blowback was sharp and swift.
Members of Congress in both parties urged the president to forcefully denounce the neoNazis and white supremacists who marched through the college town. Some openly questioned his competence and moral leadership.
Repairing the breach is among the most immediate tasks facing Hicks.
She succeeds Anthony Scaramucci, the flamboyant New York businessman, whose 11-day tenure as White House communications director ended after the publication of his expletive-filled tirade to a reporter.
The Greenwich, Conn., native will help shape and steer Trump’s messaging until someone who wants the assignment permanently comes aboard.
Hicks avoids the spotlight, unlike colleagues who got under Trump’s skin by letting their profiles rise.
Hicks has long served as a gatekeeper to Trump and plays the role from her desk near the Oval Office. Media requests to interview the president go through Hicks.
A former Ralph Lauren fashion model and public relations pro who worked for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, Hicks had no political background when she signed on for the celebrity businessman’s fledgling campaign in 2015. Soon, she became a one-woman communications shop for an unconventional candidate who attracted unprecedented media attention.
Hicks approved interview requests, often tapped out tweets that Trump dictated and remained at his side as he barnstormed the country.
She followed her parents, Paul and Caye Hicks, into the public relations business. After graduating in 2010 from Southern Methodist University with a degree in English, Hicks moved to New York and worked with Hiltzik Strategies, which has also worked for Hillary Clinton — as did her father. Paul Hicks used to do communications for the NFL, and is now managing director at a firm in Washington.
In 2014, the daughter joined the Trump Organization to help promote Ivanka’s merchandise. Trump shifted her to the campaign a year later.
Hicks attracted considerable media attention by herself, but largely eschewed face-to-face interactions with reporters. She preferred to limit her contacts with journalists to telephone and email.
In Mobile, Ala., during the transition, Trump cajoled her to say a few words to tens of thousands of supporters who turned out for the “Thank You” rally after the election.
“Where is Hope? Where is Hope? Hope, get up here, Hope. Hope, get up here,” Trump said, adding that she’s a “tremendously talented person.”
“She’s a little shy, but that’s OK because she is really, really talented,” Trump added, before beseeching her to “say a couple of words.”
Hicks said nine. “Hi. Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you, Donald Trump.”