White House Communications Director

senior staff of the President of the United States in charge of leading the White House's media campaign

The White House communications director or White House director of communications, also known officially as Assistant to the President for Communications, is part of the senior staff of the President of the United States.

White House Communications Director
Incumbent
Ben LaBolt

since March 1, 2023
Executive Office of the President
White House Office
Reports toWhite House Chief of Staff
AppointerPresident of the United States
Formation1969 (White House Office)
1974 (White House Office of the Press Secretary)
First holderHerbert G. Klein

The communications director is responsible for creating and promoting the agenda of the president and leading its media campaign.

Directors

OfficeholderStart dateEnd dateTerm durationPresident
Herb Klein[1]January 20, 1969July 1, 19734 years, 162 daysRichard Nixon
Ken ClawsonJanuary 30, 1974August 9, 1974191 days
August 9, 1974November 4, 197487 daysGerald Ford
Jerry Warren[2]November 4, 1974August 15, 1975284 days
Margita White[3]August 15, 1975July 12, 1976332 days
David Gergen[4]July 12, 1976January 20, 1977192 days
Gerald RafshoonJuly 1, 1978August 14, 19791 year, 44 daysJimmy Carter
Frank Ursomarso[5][6]February 23, 1981June 17, 1981114 daysRonald Reagan
David Gergen[7]June 17, 1981January 15, 19842 years, 212 days
Michael A. McManus Jr.[2]January 15, 1984February 6, 19851 year, 22 days
Pat BuchananFebruary 6, 1985March 1, 19872 years, 23 days
Jack Koehler[8]March 1, 1987March 13, 198711 days
Tom GriscomApril 2, 1987July 1, 19881 year, 90 days
Mari MasengJuly 1, 1988January 20, 1989203 days
David DemarestJanuary 20, 1989August 23, 19923 years, 216 daysGeorge H. W. Bush
Margaret Tutwiler[9]August 23, 1992January 20, 1993150 days
George StephanopoulosJanuary 20, 1993June 7, 1993138 daysBill Clinton
Mark Gearan[10]June 7, 1993August 14, 19952 years, 68 days
Don BaerAugust 14, 1995July 31, 19971 year, 351 days
Ann LewisJuly 31, 1997March 10, 19991 year, 222 days
Loretta UcelliMarch 10, 1999January 20, 20011 year, 316 days
Karen HughesJanuary 20, 2001October 2, 2001255 daysGeorge W. Bush
Dan Bartlett[11]October 2, 2001January 5, 20053 years, 95 days
Nicolle WallaceJanuary 5, 2005July 24, 20061 year, 200 days
Kevin SullivanJuly 24, 2006January 20, 20092 years, 180 days
Ellen MoranJanuary 20, 2009April 21, 200991 daysBarack Obama
Anita Dunn (acting)April 21, 2009November 30, 2009223 days
Dan PfeifferNovember 30, 2009January 25, 20133 years, 56 days
Jennifer PalmieriJanuary 25, 2013April 1, 20152 years, 66 days
Jen PsakiApril 1, 2015January 20, 20171 year, 294 days
Sean SpicerJanuary 20, 2017March 6, 201745 daysDonald Trump
Mike Dubke[12][13]March 6, 2017June 2, 201788 days
Sean Spicer (acting)[13][14]June 2, 2017[15][16]July 21, 2017[17]49 days
Anthony Scaramucci[18][19][20]July 21, 2017[21]July 31, 20177-10 days
Hope Hicks[22][23]August 16, 2017March 29, 2018[24]225 days
Bill Shine[25]July 5, 2018March 8, 2019246 days
Stephanie Grisham[26]July 1, 2019April 7, 2020281 days
Kate Bedingfield[27]January 20, 2021March 1, 20232 years, 40 daysJoe Biden
Ben LaBoltMarch 1, 20231 year, 79 days

References