Mercedes Schlapp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mercedes Schlapp
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|---|---|
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| 2nd White House Director of Strategic Communications | |
| In office September 12, 2017 – July 1, 2019 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Leader | Hope Hicks Bill Shine |
| Preceded by | Hope Hicks |
| Succeeded by | Alyssa Farah |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mercedes Viana
December 27, 1972 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Matt Schlapp
(m. 2002) |
| Education | Florida International University (BA) George Washington University (MPA) |
Mercedes Schlapp (born December 27, 1972) is an American expert in communications and a political commentator. She shares her views on both English and Spanish news channels. She has worked for two presidents. She was a director under George W. Bush. Later, she was the White House Director of Strategic Communications for Donald Trump. This role lasted from September 2017 to July 2019. After that, she helped with Trump's 2020 re-election campaign. She was a senior advisor for communications.
Schlapp also helped start a company called Cove Strategies. This company gives advice on media strategy. It works with businesses and groups that are not for profit.
Contents
About Mercedes Schlapp
Her Early Life and Education
Mercedes Schlapp was born in Florida. Her family came from Cuba. She is the younger sister of José Alejandro Viana, an educator. She is married to Matt Schlapp. He leads the American Conservative Union. Mercedes and Matt Schlapp have five daughters.
Schlapp says her father sparked her interest in politics. He escaped from prison in Cuba in the 1960s. This was during the time of Fidel Castro.
Schlapp went to Florida International University. She earned a bachelor's degree there. She also earned a master's degree in public administration. This was from George Washington University. In 2019, her former university honored her. They gave her an award for her achievements.
Her Career in Politics
Schlapp worked on many political campaigns. These included local and national elections. She also helped with George W. Bush's presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. During his time as president, she was the Director of Specialty Media.
Later, she became a senior advisor. This was for strategic communications. She worked on the Trump re-election campaign in 2020.
Working with the Media
Mercedes Schlapp has often appeared on Fox News. She has also written columns for different newspapers. These include U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Times. She is also a regular co-host. She appears on Prime News on Newsmax TV.
Media Strategy and Lobbying
In 2009, Schlapp and her husband started Cove Strategies. This company helps with media strategy and lobbying. It is located in Alexandria, Virginia. The company mainly works on issues like telecommunications and trade. It also helps with health-related topics. The company earned more money when Trump was president.
Role with the NRA
Before joining the White House, Schlapp was on the board of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). She also worked as a consultant for the NRA. She earned money from them in 2015 and 2016.
Working for President Trump
On September 12, 2017, President Donald Trump announced a new role for Schlapp. She would be the White House Director of Strategic Communications. While working for Trump, Schlapp focused on key issues. These included school safety, roads, and trade. Before this role, Schlapp had sometimes criticized Trump.
Schlapp gained attention in April 2018. She and her husband left the White House Correspondents Dinner early. She said she was upset by jokes made by comedian Michelle Wolf. The jokes were about Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Schlapp later tweeted her thoughts. She said the comedy showed why many Americans dislike the "out of touch leftist media elite."
In June 2020, there were protests about racism. During the George Floyd protests, Schlapp retweeted a controversial video. She later apologized for this action.
