By Emily Heil, Helena Andrews-Dyer and Krissah Thompson
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — First lady Melania Trump might be staying mostly out of sight — but she’s increasing her presence in Washington with a high-level staff hire and is working to fill out her team.
On Wednesday, the White House announced that the first lady has hired Lindsay Reynolds as her chief of staff. According to the statement that was released late Wednesday, Reynolds, who served under President George W. Bush as associate director of the White House Visitors Office, “brings over fourteen years of experience in political fundraising, event management, and logistical expertise” to her new role.
According to two people with knowledge of the first lady’s hiring process, Natalie Jones, a former deputy chief of protocol appointed by President Barack Obama, is a leading candidate to be the White House’s new social secretary. Trump has also hired Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a New York party planner known for organizing the celeb-laden Met Gala, as a senior adviser, according to another source with knowledge of that hire.
As chief of staff, Reynolds, who formed an event-planning business with friends in Ohio after her time in the Bush White House, will be responsible for representing the long-distance first lady in the East Wing. Reynolds said in a statement that staffing the White House Visitors Office and opening the executive mansion for public tours is a priority.
“The first lady is thoughtfully selecting her team, establishing the office of the first lady and supporting her husband President Trump,” Reynolds said.
The mix of Washington veterans and a New York socialite indicates that the new first lady is turning to people both inside and out of her circle as she seeks to find her footing in her high-profile role.
Trump’s decision to remain in New York for at least the next six months to look after her young son, Barron, creates a novel situation for her staff. Winston Wolkoff will remain in New York. Reynolds and presumably Jones will work in Washington.
Trump has not yet given a full indication of how — or how much — she plans to use the platform of first lady. She was a rare presence on the campaign trail and, so far, has held no public events. She has said she wants to work on a campaign to prevent cyberbullying of adolescents, but she could take on other causes and projects.
If it follows tradition, Trump’s team will be responsible for helping the first lady implement an agenda of her choosing, as well as planning arts and cultural events at the White House.
Jones, Reynolds and Winston Wolkoff come from widely varied backgrounds and would be among the most senior staffers in the East Wing.
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