Donald Trump appoints Beni Rae Harmony as assistant press secretary

Donald Trump has appointed Beni Rae Harmony, a correspondent for the conservative television network Real America's Voice, as the new White House assistant press secretary.

The 24-year-old Harmony confirmed her new role on Friday evening on the social media platform X, following an earlier report by the entertainment website TMZ.

"I'm excited to announce that I am joining the Trump Administration as Asst. White House Press Secretary," Harmony wrote. She added that her goal during her time in the briefing room had always been "to ask the questions that matter to real Americans and make sure their voices are heard."

Filling a communication gap

Harmony's arrival comes as the White House communications department works through a period of transition. The administration has still not named a permanent successor to Karoline Leavitt, who departed as White House press secretary at the end of August.

Leavitt made history in January 2025 when, at age 27, she became the youngest person ever to hold the position of White House press secretary. However, she decided to step down this summer to focus on her young family. Leavitt gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May 2026.

Announcing her departure on Truth Social, Trump praised Leavitt as "one of my most trusted aides" and said her decision was one he "totally" understood and respected. He added that Leavitt would remain an influential voice and continue to work as a "top outside Advisors" to his political team in the run-up to the midterm elections.

Leavitt later wrote on X that the demands of the high-profile job were simply incompatible with raising two very young children. "I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required," she wrote.

In the interim, official briefings have been handled by other senior figures within the administration, including Vice President JD Vance.

From reporting to representing

Before joining the administration, Harmony served as the senior White House correspondent for Real America's Voice, a conservative network she joined in September 2025. Her rapid move from the press corps to the press office reflects a familiar path for several figures in Trump's circle.

In her post announcing the move, Harmony thanked Trump for his confidence in her. "I'm incredibly grateful to President Trump for this opportunity and his trust," she wrote. "I'm looking forward to this next chapter – serving the American people and continuing to fight for the American Dream. America First."