Conservative pundit Mercedes Schlapp expected to join White House

Prominent conservative commentator and GOP consultant Mercedes Schlapp is expected to join the White House as a senior member of the communications team, two sources familiar with the matter told The Hill.

It’s unclear what Schlapp’s ultimate role will be, but there are myriad opportunities for the veteran Republican strategist in an embattled communications shop that has been hampered by high-profile departures and turnover in the ranks.

One of Trump’s top aides, Hope Hicks, is serving in an interim capacity as communications director as the White House seeks to fill a role that has passed through several hands.

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Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer was believed to be up for the job but he submitted his resignation after Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci was brought on in July.

Scaramucci kept the job for 10 chaotic days, during which he railed against Trump’s senior aides and forced out former chief of staff Reince Priebus. Another veteran GOP communications strategist, Michael Dubke, also served briefly in the communications director role.

Schlapp, a veteran of former President George W. Bush’s administration, is well-known in Washington as a Fox News contributor and columnist for the conservative news outlet The Washington Times.

She co-founded a political consulting firm with her husband, Matt Schlapp, another high-profile Trump supporter on cable news who also serves as chairman of the American Conservative Union and the yearly Conservative Political Action Conference.

The Schlapps did not return a request for comment. The White House said it does not have any personnel announcements to make at this time. 

Politico first reported the news.