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White House Press Secretary
The White House logo under Trump 2.0.jpg
Karoline Leavitt (54360150005) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Karoline Leavitt

since January 20, 2025
White House Office of the Press Secretary
Appointer President of the United States
Formation March 4, 1929; 96 years ago (1929-03-04)
First holder George Akerson
Salary $180,000 USD (2024)
Website https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/

The White House press secretary is a very important person who works for the President of the United States. Their main job is to speak for the President and the government. They explain what the government is doing and how it feels about important events around the world.

The press secretary talks to reporters and the White House press corps every day. They usually do this in a daily press briefing, which is like a news conference. The President chooses the press secretary, and they serve as long as the President wants them to. This job is very well-known because the press secretary talks to the media often, and the media then shares the information with everyone.

Karoline Leavitt became the 36th White House press secretary on January 20, 2025.

History of the Press Secretary Role

How Press Relations Started

In the early days of the United States, there wasn't one person whose job was to talk to reporters. The White House staff was very small. After President Abraham Lincoln, Congress started giving money for a White House staff, which began with just one secretary.

As presidents hired more people, some chose aides who used to be journalists. For example, one of Abraham Lincoln's secretaries, John G. Nicolay, was a newspaper editor. He sometimes talked to reporters to check facts. Even though the official job of "press secretary" didn't exist yet, White House staff were already talking to the growing number of journalists.

Early White House Reporters

Before the 1880s, the relationship between the President and newspapers was different. Newspapers often supported a political party. There wasn't much need for a special person to manage the news.

But by 1884, when Grover Cleveland became President, the media had changed a lot. There were many more newspapers and magazines. More reporters started covering the President's activities.

When President Cleveland married Frances Folsom in 1886, reporters followed them everywhere, even on their honeymoon! This made the President frustrated. He relied on his private secretary, Daniel Lamont, to keep reporters away. This event led to a public discussion about the President's right to privacy versus the media's role in covering public figures.

The White House Press Corps Forms

Towards the end of Cleveland's time in office, something new happened. A reporter named William W. Price started staying at the White House every day to find stories. He would interview guests coming and going. Other newspapers soon sent their own reporters to do the same. This was the beginning of the White House press corps, a group of reporters dedicated to covering the White House daily.

When William McKinley became President, he kept George B. Cortelyou as his private secretary. Cortelyou was very good at his job and respected by reporters. He would give them information, copies of speeches, and notes from the President's travels. Many people consider Cortelyou to be the first "presidential press secretary" because of how well he worked with the press.

A Special Space for Reporters

During McKinley's presidency, reporters covering the White House were invited inside the mansion. They were given a space to write and do interviews. They could talk to guests or the President's secretaries. However, they had an unspoken rule: they wouldn't ask the President questions if he walked through their area.

Theodore Roosevelt made sure the White House Press Corps had a permanent home. When he built the new executive office building (now called the West Wing) in the early 1900s, he included a special space for the press. This is where the Office of the Press Secretary and the famous James S. Brady Press Briefing Room are located today.

Woodrow Wilson and Regular News Conferences

When Woodrow Wilson became President in 1912, he brought Joseph P. Tumulty with him as his private secretary. Tumulty worked a lot with the press. He convinced President Wilson, who didn't really like reporters, to hold regular news conferences, sometimes twice a week.

During these conferences, over a hundred reporters would gather to ask questions. Wilson often asked reporters not to publish what he said directly. Tumulty also started giving daily briefings to reporters, which helped create the modern White House Press Briefing.

The First "White House Press Secretary"

During President Franklin D. Roosevelt's time in office, a journalist named Stephen Early became the first person whose only job was to handle press relations. Because of how Early did his job and how important it became, many people say he was the first true White House press secretary, both in what he did and in his official title.

Early had been a reporter before working for Roosevelt. When he took the job, he asked for full access to the President. He also wanted his own statements to be directly quoted. He promised to give reporters as much factual information as possible. He also convinced Roosevelt to hold press conferences twice a week, timed to help reporters meet their deadlines. Early was known for being responsive and open with the press.

Roosevelt continued the tradition of press conferences. He changed the rules so that reporters didn't have to submit questions beforehand. He also said that what he said in press conferences was for reporters' general information, not for direct quotes. This helped the President be more open. Early often helped Roosevelt prepare for these conferences, suggesting questions and answers. A tradition also started where the main wire reporter would say, "Thank you, Mr. President," to end the session, which still happens today.

The Roosevelt White House, with Early's help, was very good at managing its relationship with the press. The number of White House staff also grew a lot during this time. Early also helped Roosevelt use radio for his famous "fireside chats," where the President spoke directly to the American people.

Eisenhower and James Hagerty

When Dwight D. Eisenhower became President, he chose James Hagerty to be his press secretary. Hagerty had been a reporter for The New York Times. His experience as a journalist helped him understand what reporters needed.

At his first meeting with White House reporters in 1953, Hagerty set rules that are still used today. He said he wouldn't play favorites or give exclusive stories. He promised to help reporters get the news, but also made it clear he worked for the President.

Hagerty started the practice of regularly scheduled presidential news conferences. He also changed a long-standing rule: for the first time, everything the President said at a press conference could be printed word-for-word. In 1955, newsreel and television cameras were allowed in presidential news conferences for the first time, making them even more public.

Hagerty was press secretary for eight years, which is still the longest time anyone has held the job. Eisenhower trusted Hagerty so much that the press secretary's role became a very important one, advising the President.

What the Press Secretary Does

Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks to reporters outside the White House in 2019

The press secretary's main job is to gather information about what the President's administration is doing. They also keep up with events happening around the world. They then share this information with the media.

This includes telling reporters about the President's daily schedule. They also share who the President has met with. Most importantly, they explain the government's official view on the news of the day.

The press secretary usually answers questions from the White House press corps. These sessions are often televised. Sometimes they hold "press gaggles," which are briefings where reporters can use the information but there's no video recording. However, written notes of these sessions are usually made public.

Many people who have been press secretaries used to work in news. For example:

  • Stephen Early (Roosevelt administration) was a reporter for the Associated Press.
  • James Hagerty (Eisenhower administration) was a reporter for The New York Times.
  • Pierre Salinger (Kennedy administration) was a reporter and editor.
  • Tony Snow (George W. Bush administration) was a journalist and TV news anchor.
  • Jay Carney (Obama administration) was a journalist for Time magazine.
  • Kayleigh McEnany (Trump administration) was a political commentator.
  • Jen Psaki (Biden administration) was a political commentator.

List of White House Press Secretaries

     Denotes acting capacity.
Image Name Start End Duration President
George Akerson.jpg Akerson, GeorgeGeorge Akerson March 4, 1929 March 16, 1931 2 years, 12 days Hoover, HerbertHerbert Hoover
(1929–1933)
Ted Joslin.jpg Joslin, TedTed Joslin March 16, 1931 March 4, 1933 1 year, 353 days
Portrait of Stephen T. Early.jpg Early, StephenStephen Early March 4, 1933 March 29, 1945 12 years, 25 days Roosevelt, Franklin D.Franklin D. Roosevelt
(1933–1945)
Jonathan Worth Daniels.jpg Daniels, JonathanJonathan Daniels March 29, 1945 May 15, 1945 47 days
Truman, Harry S.Harry S. Truman
(1945–1953)
Charles Griffith Ross.jpg Ross, CharlieCharlie Ross May 15, 1945 December 5, 1950 5 years, 204 days
Portrait of Stephen T. Early.jpg Early, StephenStephen Early
Acting
December 5, 1950 December 18, 1950 13 days
Joseph Short (Profile) on March 15, 1951 at President Truman’s vacation residence in Key West, Florida with Press Secretary Joseph Short... - NARA - 200561 (cropped).tif Short, JosephJoseph Short December 18, 1950 September 18, 1952 1 year, 288 days
Roger Tubby 1951.jpg Tubby, RogerRoger Tubby September 18, 1952 January 20, 1953 124 days
James Campbell Hagerty on December 6, 1960 - JFKWHP-AR6180-A (cropped).jpg Hagerty, JamesJames Hagerty January 20, 1953 January 20, 1961 8 years, 0 days Eisenhower, Dwight D.Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1953–1961)
Press Secretary Pierre Salinger on May 10, 1961 - (14190800322) (cropped).jpg Salinger, PierrePierre Salinger January 20, 1961 March 19, 1964 3 years, 59 days Kennedy, John F.John F. Kennedy
(1961–1963)
Johnson, Lyndon B.Lyndon B. Johnson
(1963–1969)
No image.svg Reedy, GeorgeGeorge Reedy March 19, 1964 July 8, 1965 1 year, 111 days
Bill Moyers.jpg Moyers, BillBill Moyers July 8, 1965 February 1, 1967 1 year, 208 days
George Christian (cropped).tif Christian, GeorgeGeorge Christian February 1, 1967 January 20, 1969 1 year, 354 days
Ronz.jpg Ziegler, RonRon Ziegler January 20, 1969 August 9, 1974 5 years, 201 days Nixon, RichardRichard Nixon
(1969–1974)
Jerald terHorst.jpg terHorst, JeraldJerald terHorst August 9, 1974 September 9, 1974 31 days Ford, GeraldGerald Ford
(1974–1977)
Ron Nessen 1975 (cropped).jpg Nessen, RonRon Nessen September 9, 1974 January 20, 1977 2 years, 133 days
Jody Powell.jpg Powell, JodyJody Powell January 20, 1977 January 20, 1981 4 years, 0 days Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
(1977–1981)
Portraits of Assistants to President Ronald Reagan (cropped4).jpg Brady, JimJim Brady January 20, 1981 March 30, 1981
(de facto)
January 20, 1989
(de jure)
69 days/
8 years, 0 days
Reagan, RonaldRonald Reagan
(1981–1989)
Portraits of Assistants to President Ronald Reagan (cropped5).jpg Speakes, LarryLarry Speakes
Acting
March 30, 1981 February 1, 1987 5 years, 308 days
Marlin Fitzwater.jpg Fitzwater, MarlinMarlin Fitzwater February 1, 1987 January 20, 1989 1 year, 354 days
January 20, 1989 January 20, 1993 4 years, 0 days Bush, George H. W.George H. W. Bush
(1989–1993)
Dee Dee Myers press secretary Bill Clinton (48592037267).jpg Myers, Dee DeeDee Dee Myers January 20, 1993 December 22, 1994 1 year, 336 days Clinton, BillBill Clinton
(1993–2001)
George Stephanopoulos cropped.jpg Stephanopoulos, GeorgeGeorge Stephanopoulos
De facto
January 20, 1993 June 7, 1993 138 days
Mike McCurry.jpg McCurry, MikeMike McCurry December 22, 1994 August 4, 1998 3 years, 225 days
Joe Lockhart.jpg Lockhart, JoeJoe Lockhart August 4, 1998 September 29, 2000 2 years, 56 days
Jake Siewert.jpg Siewert, JakeJake Siewert September 30, 2000 January 20, 2001 112 days
Ari Fleischer.jpg Fleischer, AriAri Fleischer January 20, 2001 July 15, 2003 2 years, 176 days Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
Scott McClellan 1.jpg McClellan, ScottScott McClellan July 15, 2003 May 10, 2006 2 years, 299 days
Tony Snow -- White House.jpg Snow, TonyTony Snow May 10, 2006 September 14, 2007 1 year, 127 days
Dana Perino 1.jpg Perino, DanaDana Perino September 14, 2007 January 20, 2009 1 year, 128 days
Robert Gibbs.jpg Gibbs, RobertRobert Gibbs January 20, 2009 February 11, 2011 2 years, 22 days Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
Jay Carney on April 5, 2011.jpg Carney, JayJay Carney February 11, 2011 June 20, 2014 3 years, 129 days
Josh Earnest 2011 (cropped).jpg Earnest, JoshJosh Earnest June 20, 2014 January 20, 2017 2 years, 214 days
Press secretary Sean Spicer (cropped).jpg Spicer, SeanSean Spicer January 20, 2017 July 21, 2017 182 days Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2017–2021)
Sarah Sanders (49290685006) (cropped).jpg Huckabee Sanders, SarahSarah Huckabee Sanders July 21, 2017 July 1, 2019 1 year, 345 days
Stephanie Grisham.jpg Grisham, StephanieStephanie Grisham July 1, 2019 April 7, 2020 281 days
Kayleigh McEnany (51328311597) (cropped).jpg McEnany, KayleighKayleigh McEnany April 7, 2020 January 20, 2021 288 days
Jen Psaki 2022.jpg Psaki, JenJen Psaki January 20, 2021 May 13, 2022 1 year, 113 days Biden, JoeJoe Biden
(2021–2025)
Karine Jean-Pierre at the White House on 4 December 2023 (cropped).jpg Jean-Pierre, KarineKarine Jean-Pierre May 13, 2022 January 20, 2025 2 years, 252 days
Karoline Leavitt (54360150005) (cropped).jpg Leavitt, KarolineKaroline Leavitt January 20, 2025 Incumbent 188 days Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2025–present)

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Secretario de Prensa de la Casa Blanca para niños

  • Press secretary
  • Kremlin Press Secretary
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