Mercedes Schlapp, President Trump’s senior adviser for strategic communications, said Thursday she had no desire to replace White House press secretary Sarah Sanders behind the podium.
“I’m not interested in becoming press secretary. I need Sarah Sanders to stay there as long as possible,” Schlapp told the Washington Post on Thursday during its “A New Era of Women in Politics” event.
.@mercedesschlapp says she is not interested in becoming WH press secretary and comments on reports that President Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly is on his way out at the White House. pic.twitter.com/hrLmt3kzDb
— Washington Post Live (@postlive) November 15, 2018
Schlapp said she valued the camaraderie she shares with Sanders, as well as her West Wing colleagues Kellyanne Conway and Ivanka Trump.
“I think between us we have about probably 15 children. And I think just having that female support is so important because there are days that are very challenging,” she said. “And I know you all kind of mock and laugh at me for making certain comments, but here’s the deal: We’re all trying to do our best.”
White House chief of staff John Kelly was also expected to remain in his role “at this point,” Schlapp said.
“I mean, the president has a great relationship with Gen. Kelly,” she said. “The one thing Gen. Kelly has brought to the staff is a lot of the putting in processes in place when it comes to policy processes and ensuring that we’re able to get something done from point A to point Z.”
Reports emerged over the summer that Sanders was contemplating leaving the Trump administration. Speculation that Kelly was on the way out reignited this week after a report that he had clashed with first lady Melania Trump.
