White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, Who Never Held A Press Briefing, To Leave Post

Stephanie Grisham, the White House press secretary, is rejoining forces with First Lady Melania Trump. Grisham, after nine months of service, will step down from her West Wing press secretary post, and return to the East Wing to serve as Melania Trump’s chief of staff and spokeswoman. Grisham is the first press secretary in the modern era to never hold a press briefing.

The shake up comes as the West Wing battles with the coronavirus outbreak, which has forced new White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to reevaluate the press operation.

“I am excited to welcome Stephanie back to the team in this new role,” Melania Trump stated. “She has been a mainstay and true leader in the Administration from even before day one, and I know she will excel as Chief of Staff.”

The appointment is the first White House communications team staffing change after Meadows assumed the post as chief of staff last month.

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Grisham, who still communicates with Melania Trump daily, will return to the East Wing, where she spent the majority of her time in the administration.

She will replace Lindsay Reynolds who resigned.

“I continue to be honored to serve both the President and first lady in the administration,” Grisham said in a statement. “My replacements will be announced in the coming days, and I will stay in the West Wing to help with a smooth transition for as long as needed.”