Who is Stephanie Grisham? Meet the Trump Aid Speaking at the 2024 DNC

In an unexpected turn of events, Stephanie Grisham, the former Donald Trump administration press secretary and close aide to former First Lady Melania Trump, will speak Tuesday at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Also on the bill to speak on the second day of the convention at the United Center in Chicago are former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“While I don’t agree with Vice President Harris on everything, I am proud to be supporting her because I know she will defend our freedoms and represent our nation with honesty and integrity,” Grisham told NBC News in a statement.

“While Donald Trump continues to attack moderates and independents, the Harris-Walz campaign has made clear that there is a place in our coalition for voters who reject the extremism of Donald Trump and want to protect our democracy,” a Harris campaign official also told the outlet.

President Joe Biden delivered a keynote speech on Monday night and was introduced by his daughter Ashley. First Lady Jill Biden also spoke, as did Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Who is Stephanie Grisham?

Stephanie Grisham first rose to national prominence during Trump’s presidency, where she held multiple roles. She served as the White House Press Secretary from July 2019 to April 2020, famously never holding a single press briefing during her tenure. Before that, she was a press aide for the 2016 Trump campaign and later worked as Melania Trump’s communications director and chief of staff.

Grisham was known for her fierce loyalty to the Trump family, often defending them in the face of controversies. However, she resigned hours after the riot on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. In a 2021 interview with NBC News’ Meet The Press, Grisham revealed tried to resign “a couple of times” before that infamous day but Melania Trump talked her out of it.

“January 6, of course, was my breaking point,” she said at the time. “And I was really proud that I was, well, the first in the administration to resign.”

After leaving the White House, Grisham’s relationship with the Trump camp soured. In her 2021 memoir, I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw at the Trump White House, she offered a critical insider’s account of the administration, accusing Trump of fostering a culture of fear and chaos.

A Surprising Speaker at the DNC

Grisham’s decision to speak at the DNC has shocked many, considering her history as a staunch Trump supporter. Sources close to the DNC have indicated that her speech will focus on “lessons learned” from her time in the Trump administration and her concerns about the direction of the Republican Party under Trump’s continued influence.

In recent years, Grisham has distanced herself from the MAGA wing of the GOP, aligning with other former Trump officials who have turned against the former president. Her appearance at the DNC is being interpreted as a significant rebuke to Trump and his loyalists.

What to Expect from Grisham’s Speech

Political commentators are eager to see how Grisham frames her message to a Democratic audience. Will she address her role in enabling some of Trump’s most controversial actions? Or will she focus on warning the nation about the dangers of re-electing Trump or a Trump-aligned candidate in 2024? Either way, her speech is expected to be one of the most talked-about moments of the convention.

For the Democrats, Grisham’s appearance serves as a symbol of the growing discontent within the Republican Party. It also underscores the party’s strategy of appealing to disillusioned conservatives who might be swayed to vote against Trump in the upcoming election.

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