Kayleigh McEnany

Kayleigh McEnany is an American political commentator and author who served as the 33rd White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump. A graduate of Georgetown University, Harvard Law School, and the University of Miami, she previously worked as a national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee and as a commentator for CNN. Her tenure as press secretary was marked by her staunch defense of the Trump administration during the final year of his presidency, including the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and the 2020 United States presidential election.

Early life and education

She was born in Tampa, Florida, and attended the Academy of the Holy Names. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, where she was involved with the Georgetown University College Republicans. She later earned a juris doctor from Harvard Law School, during which time she interned for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She also holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Miami.

Career before the White House

Following her education, she worked as a producer and writer for Huckabee on the Fox News Channel. She subsequently joined CNN as a political commentator, frequently appearing on programs like New Day and Anderson Cooper 360°. In 2017, she was named the national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, a role that involved frequent media appearances defending the policies of the Trump administration. She also contributed to outlets like Fox Business Network and authored the book *The New American Revolution: The Making of a Populist Movement*.

White House Press Secretary

She was appointed White House Press Secretary in April 2020, succeeding Stephanie Grisham. Her daily briefings became a prominent feature during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, where she regularly conveyed updates from the White House Coronavirus Task Force and defended the administration's response. She consistently supported President Donald Trump's assertions regarding the 2020 United States presidential election, echoing claims of widespread fraud. Her tenure concluded with the end of the Trump administration on January 20, 2021, after which Jen Psaki assumed the role under President Joe Biden.

Political positions and public statements

A staunch conservative, her public statements have consistently aligned with the platform of the Republican Party. She has been a vocal supporter of the America First agenda, advocating for strict immigration policies and the appointment of conservative judges to the federal judiciary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasized the speed of Operation Warp Speed and often cited the guidance of officials like Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. Following the 2020 United States presidential election, she repeatedly challenged the results, supporting legal challenges led by the Trump legal team in states like Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Post-White House career

After leaving the White House, she joined Fox News Channel as a co-host of the program *Outnumbered*. She has remained a prominent media figure, providing commentary on Fox News programs such as *Hannity* and *The Ingraham Angle*. She serves on the board of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank promoting policies associated with the Trump administration. She continues to make public appearances, including speeches at events for organizations like the CPAC and the Republican Party of Florida.