First Lady’s right-hand woman tipped to be president’s PR chief

MELANIA TRUMP’S spokesman has been touted as a potential replacement for Sarah Sanders, the outgoing White House press secretary.

Stephanie Grisham, who has served as the First Lady’s communications director since March 2017, is thought to be a favourite to take over the role among Donald Trump’s inner circle.

The president is known to value loyalty, and Ms Grisham is one of a dwindling number of original staff from the 2016 election campaign to have remained in the White House.

Asked about the potential candidates, Mr Trump said yesterday: “Stephanie is terrific. We have a lot of great people, we have a lot of good people to choose from.”

Ms Grisham was part of the Trump campaign’s communications team and originally served in the West Wing before taking over Mrs Trump’s press team. She has been a more frequent presence at the president’s recent events, including ones the First Lady has not attended.

Hogan Gidley, Mr Trump’s deputy press secretary, is also considered a leading contender. Other names being floated are Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to the president, Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham and Alyssa Farah, the vice president’s press secretary.

Mr Trump revealed on Thursday that Mrs Sanders would leave the role at the end of the month. It is unclear what has prompted her departure.

She had come under fire for bringing an end to the traditional daily White House press briefings, and was the subject of some mockery in recent months, with reporters noting that Mrs Sanders appeared to be taking advantage of the free time, most notably during the president’s overseas trips.

During Mr Trump’s state visit to the UK, her official Instagram account boasted of “behind the scenes” pictures and “selfie” photographs from Buckingham Palace. According to The New York Times, she also asked the Prince of Wales to sign her dinner menu during the State Banquet. He obliged, according to the newspaper.