The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
White House makes interim appointment
Longtime aide to president chosen for position.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s longtime aide Hope Hicks will serve as the interim White House director of communications and will help the president find a permanent person for the job, the administration said Wednesday.
However temporary it is, it was the latest reshuffling in the White House and comes at a time when the president’s remarks on white supremacists were drawing fire from Democrats and Republicans. The role of communications director is to set a clear and direct message coming from the White House each day.
Hicks, 28, already is considered one of the most important people in the president’s communications orbit and has the most sway over who in the media gets interviews with the president. Her current title is director
of strategic communications.
Hicks was a spokeswoman for Trump during his presidential campaign and at the Trump Organization.
Hicks is close to the president, and also close with Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
Hicks, who grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, will temporarily fill the vacancy left by Anthony Scaramucci. Unlike Scaramucci, who kept a high profile during his 10 days in the position, Hicks has long been a hidden hand,
staying behind the scenes and outlasting other administration staff members.
She knows Trump’s rhythms, and he views her as one of the few people around him truly looking out for his interests.
Hicks is also keenly aware that Trump is, ultimately, his own communications director.
For his part, Scaramucci expressed his support for Hicks on Twitter.
“Hope is a terrific person and will do a great job. Wishing her the best,” Scaramucci wrote.