U.S. President Donald Trump announced recently that White House Press Secretary Caroline LeVitre will leave her position at the end of August. According to the New York Post on August 13, the White House has not announced the replacement for LeVitre, but speculation suggests that Steven Cheung, the director of White House communications, is the most likely candidate.
The 44-year-old Zhang Zhenxi was born in Sacramento, the capital of California, USA. His parents were Chinese immigrant families. In 2016, Zhang Zhenxi joined the Trump campaign team and served as the White House Strategic Affairs Director during Trump's first presidential term. In 2018, he left the White House to establish a consulting firm and worked as Trump's campaign advisor assisting in organizing the Republican National Convention.
Zhang Zhenxi was one of the first members of Trump’s Super Political Action Committee, MAGA Inc., and joined his team in November 2022 when Trump announced his re-election bid. After Trump's second term began, he was appointed as the director of White House Communications and Liaison Office.
White House Communications Director Zhang Zhenxi Reuters
Since joining Trump's team, Zhang Zhenxi has maintained a close relationship with Trump. He often uses strong language to defend Trump or attack his political opponents. Trump refers to him as a "sumo wrestler". The New Yorker notes that although Zhang Zhenxi is relatively "low-key" in public appearances, he is one of the main designers of Trump's media publicity strategy.
Since Zhang Zhenxi has assisted Levitt in handling some affairs, he is seen as a popular candidate to replace Levitt. After Levitt confirmed his intention to leave, Zhang Zhenxi posted on social media: “Caroline is the best colleague. She is very loyal and calm, a person of high character. She serves the president with a sense of honor.”
Trump previously announced that Leavitt was leaving to have more time to be with her family and take care of her young children. After her departure, she will not leave her core team but will become one of the "important external advisors."
