Mercedes Schlapp holds a demanding position as the White House strategic communications adviser, a role that requires her to expertly navigate the complexities of the Trump administration. Her responsibilities are multifaceted, ranging from aligning communication strategies with a president known for his direct communication style, to managing the administration’s messaging amidst ongoing legal challenges and various cabinet-level controversies.
Despite these considerable pressures, Mercedes Schlapp has maintained unwavering focus on her core mission: effective communication and policy coordination. She works in close collaboration with the White House’s political affairs, legislative affairs, and policy teams, as well as the broader communications division, to ensure seamless policy rollouts. Key areas of her focus have included critical issues such as enhancing school safety, combating the opioid crisis, advancing infrastructure development, and promoting fair trade practices.
While Mercedes Schlapp’s current role does not involve frequent direct engagement with reporters, she garnered significant public attention in March when her name emerged as a potential successor to Hope Hicks as White House communications director. This period was marked by intense speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, with advocates for both Mercedes Schlapp and Tony Sayegh, another contender for the position, engaging in media sparring. Following a Washington Examiner article that presented a negative portrayal of Sayegh, Mercedes Schlapp took the initiative to reach out to him for a candid conversation.
Describing her relationship with Tony Sayegh, who serves at the Treasury Department, Mercedes Schlapp remarked, “I kind of refer to us as an old married couple in a lot of ways. We bicker, we laugh, we’ve known each for a while so we have these sort of tough personalities. But I’ve always made it a point to talk to him directly and have good conversations.” This anecdote illustrates her approach to navigating professional relationships within the high-pressure environment of the White House.
Addressing a common misconception about working in the Trump White House, Mercedes Schlapp dispels the notion of constant internal conflict. “The biggest misperception of working in a Trump White House is that ‘we’re all trying to kill each other’,” she stated. While acknowledging the presence of occasional disagreements, inherent in any workplace, she believes the media significantly exaggerates the extent of internal strife.
Mercedes Schlapp draws a clear distinction between her experience in the Trump administration and her previous tenure working for President George W. Bush, highlighting the dramatically changed communications landscape. A primary differentiating factor? The advent of presidential tweets.
“Obviously, we are doing policy rollouts and looking ahead but we are also dealing with the day to day of social media and the president’s tweets,” Mercedes Schlapp explained. This constant engagement with social media, particularly the President’s Twitter activity, renders her current role “much more exciting” compared to her time in the Bush White House. She emphasizes the President’s ultimate authority in shaping the agenda and messaging: “The president is the ultimate decider of the agenda and the message and our team is here to support him.”
Beyond managing the daily communications flow, Mercedes Schlapp is also invested in the professional development of her team. She oversees approximately 20 individuals within the communications team and is recognized for her positive internal relationships and leadership style.
Mercedes Schlapp’s interest in politics began in her childhood in Miami, influenced by her father’s experience as a political prisoner in Cuba under the Castro regime in the 1960s. This early exposure to political realities shaped her career trajectory.
Following her work on both Bush presidential campaigns and in the White House, Mercedes Schlapp co-founded Cove Strategies with her husband, Matt Schlapp, who is now chairman of the American Conservative Union. The couple, parents to five daughters, gained recognition as influential figures within the Trump movement, even being dubbed “the cool kids of Trumpism” by The Washington Post.
Similar to other individuals from cable news backgrounds who joined the Trump administration, Mercedes Schlapp was a Fox News contributor. She also co-hosted a SiriusXM radio show with her husband. She fondly recalls their show tapings as their “weekly date,” highlighting the blend of their professional and personal lives.
Matt Schlapp offered insights into his wife’s return to government service: “Sometimes people think she’s just a sweetheart and she can be,” he acknowledged. “But she’s also tough, and let me tell you, as her husband, I think long and hard before I cross her. Often when I do, the response is in Spanish and I know it’s not good.” This personal anecdote adds another dimension to the public perception of Mercedes Schlapp, revealing her strength and determination.
In summary, Mercedes Schlapp plays a vital role in shaping and executing the Trump administration’s communication strategy. She adeptly manages the challenges inherent in this role, focusing on effective policy communication, internal team leadership, and navigating the complexities of the modern media landscape within a dynamic political environment.
