Melania Trump announces Stephanie Grisham as new White House press secretary: 'There goes her credibility'
Following President Donald Trump’s June 13 announcement that Sarah Huckabee Sanders would be leaving the White House, first lady Melania Trump said that her own spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, will be replacing her as White House press secretary.
In a Tuesday afternoon tweet, Melania wrote that she was “pleased to announce” that her aide would be taking over as press secretary, and would also be filling the communications director role in the Trump administration, which was left vacant following Bill Shine’s departure in March.
I am pleased to announce @StephGrisham45 will be the next @PressSec & Comms Director! She has been with us since 2015 - @potus & I can think of no better person to serve the Administration & our country. Excited to have Stephanie working for both sides of the @WhiteHouse. #BeBest
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 25, 2019
Although the first lady is happy about the news, many have expressed differing opinions — including concern over how Grisham will carry out Sanders’ duties. Others pointed out that Grisham received a warning letter for violating the Hatch Act, which prohibits White House officials from some forms of political speech.
Grisham received the warning after tweeting about her three-year anniversary working for the Trump team and using the hashtag MAGA.
Stephanie Grisham will replace Sarah Sanders as White House Press Secretary, though it's unclear if she can handle the grueling workload of holding zero press conferences.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) June 25, 2019
In case you thought there were no consequences for violating the Hatch Act in the Trump administration (silly you!), Hatch Act violator Stephanie Grisham just got promoted. That'll teach her.https://t.co/9teV252AvW
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) June 25, 2019
I really thought I had a chance :( oh well. Probably better that the PressSec doesn’t use memes during press conferences.
— Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) June 25, 2019
There goes her credibility and inevitably her career
— Skate Key🇺🇸Imagine🌞 (@rlynnlayton) June 25, 2019
Congratulations on finding somebody who can lie as well as the current @PressSec ! we were worried about that
— Betsy A Johnson (@Betsy_AJ) June 25, 2019
I remember how she lied about the jacket, so I don't really care. She should fit right in.
— Frances (@pennyblab) June 25, 2019
Congratulations, Stephanie. You have the lowest bar in history to crawl under, but I'm sure you can do it. https://t.co/w5rthQt4pH
— Alternative Fax (@daveblend) June 25, 2019
Will she actually carry our press briefings? Just asking on recent past history.
— Amanda (@Amanda26202676) June 25, 2019
Others shared their confusion over how the announcement was made, especially considering that Grisham is in charge of tweets from Melania’s account.
Since when do First Ladies announce official White House statements?
— Nathaniel Parkinson (@np1959) June 25, 2019
This tweet was written by @StephGrisham45.
— Hayden Black (@haydenblack) June 25, 2019
This sounds like something a Press Secretary would tweet...
— Sean Tingle 🏳️🌈 (@SeemToggle) June 25, 2019
Nonetheless, NBC News reporter Monica Alba pointed out that Grisham is one of the only people who has stuck around in the White House since President Donald Trump’s campaign, which likely plays a role in Melania’s belief that there’s “no better person” for the position.
Important factor here: Grisham is one of the only people left who has been with the Trumps since the campaign and onto the White House https://t.co/QsgK7wHHJN
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) June 25, 2019
The president himself assured in a press conference that Grisham “gets along with the media very well,” while Sanders also provided her support.
President Trump says "a lot of people" wanted Sarah Sanders' job as press secretary and he "asked people 'who do you like?' and so many people" recommended Stephanie Grisham.
"She actually gets along with the media very well, as you know," he adds https://t.co/NyjOaspLad pic.twitter.com/FKK4s1aNKE— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 25, 2019
.@StephGrisham45 will be an incredible asset to the President and the country. I’m sad to leave the WH, but so happy our team will be in such great hands. Stephanie will do a phenomenal job. Proud to have another mom and a great friend in this role! https://t.co/OYvwL0E1JU
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 25, 2019
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Kim Kardashian gets backlash over White House photos: 'Classy on the table just like Trump likes it'
E. Jean Carroll reacts to Trump denying her claim he sexually assaulted her: ‘I am sick of it’
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