Steven Cheung Bio
Steven Cheung (born June 23, 1982) is an American political advisor and communications official who has served as the White House communications director since January 20, 2025. Raised in South Sacramento, California, by parents who emigrated from Hong Kong, Cheung built a career in Republican politics through campaign work, White House service, and high-profile consulting roles.
He first entered politics as a college intern for California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and went on to work on several Republican campaigns, including those of Senator John McCain and President Donald Trump. Cheung is recognized for a combative communication style that mirrors the approach of his political allies, and he now leads messaging operations from the White House.
Early Life and Background
Steven Cheung was born on June 23, 1982, in South Sacramento, California. He is the son of Hongkonger parents who immigrated to the United States, and his mother was raised in Japan. Growing up in a working-class Sacramento neighborhood, Cheung attended John F. Kennedy High School, where he graduated in 2000. He played on the school’s football team during his high school years.
After high school, Cheung enrolled at California State University, Sacramento, where he majored in computer science and political science. Although he did not complete a degree, his time at the university introduced him to California politics through an internship with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. That early exposure to communications and speechwriting set the foundation for his later career.
Path to US Politics
Cheung’s entry into US politics began while he was still in college, when he joined the office of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a communications and speechwriting intern. The role gave him direct experience drafting public messages and learning how a governor’s office engages with the press. From there, he transitioned to national campaigns, joining Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid.
Following the McCain campaign, Cheung continued building his network by working on down-ballot Republican efforts. He supported Steve Poizner’s 2010 California gubernatorial campaign, Sharron Angle’s 2010 Senate campaign in Nevada, and Texas lieutenant governor David Dewhurst’s 2012 Senate campaign. In 2013, he was named director of communications and public affairs for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a role that broadened his media and branding experience. By 2016, he was ready to step onto the national stage with Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign.
Steven Cheung Career
Early Career (2003–2016)
Steven Cheung’s early political career began in 2003 with an internship in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s communications office, where he contributed to speechwriting and media messaging. The position introduced him to the fast pace of executive communications and helped him develop the rapid-response instincts that would later define his work.
Over the next decade, Cheung worked his way through a series of Republican campaigns. He joined Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, then supported Steve Poizner’s 2010 California gubernatorial run, Sharron Angle’s 2010 Senate campaign in Nevada, and David Dewhurst’s 2012 Senate campaign in Texas. In 2013, he was named director of communications and public affairs for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a high-visibility role that sharpened his media skills ahead of his return to political work.
Trump Campaign Breakthrough (2016–2018)
In July 2016, Steven Cheung joined Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign as director of rapid response. After Trump’s victory in the 2016 election, Cheung was named to the presidential transition team, where he continued to oversee rapid response. In January 2017, one day before Trump’s first inauguration, he was appointed as the White House assistant communications director, and he was later elevated to director of strategic response in September 2017.
During his first White House stint, Cheung was described by colleagues as instrumental in supporting the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He was fired in June 2018 as part of a broader staff shake-up by White House chief of staff John F. Kelly.
MAGA Inc. and 2024 Campaign Era (2018–2024)
After leaving the White House, Steven Cheung launched his own consulting firm, Solgence, and worked on several political efforts. He consulted for Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign, helped orchestrate the 2020 Republican National Convention, and briefly joined Caitlyn Jenner’s 2021 California gubernatorial recall campaign. He also advised Republican campaigns in Missouri, Vermont, and California during the 2022 election cycle.
In September 2022, Cheung was named director of communications for MAGA Inc., Trump’s leading super PAC, and by March 2023, he was leading communications for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. As director of communications, he wrote several of Trump’s Truth Social posts and managed messaging through high-profile controversies, including an August 2024 incident at Arlington National Cemetery.
White House Communications Director Era (2025–Present)
On November 15, 2024, president-elect Donald Trump announced that Steven Cheung would serve as his White House communications director. Cheung assumed the role on January 20, 2025, becoming the public face of the administration’s messaging operations. The position places him at the center of White House press strategy and presidential communications.
Cheung’s tenure has been defined by the same combative communication style that defined his campaign work. The Atlantic has described his approach as marked by relentless aggression, while colleagues note his talent for crafting sharp, pithy statements that appeal to Trump’s base. His private communications with reporters tend to be more direct and measured, even as his public posts remain forceful and at times profanity-laden.
Notable Events and Milestones
Steven Cheung’s career is marked by several signature moments, including his role in supporting the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, his work on the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and his orchestration of messaging for the 2020 Republican National Convention. He helped steer communications for Trump’s 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential campaigns and led messaging for the 2021 California gubernatorial recall effort. His 2025 appointment as White House communications director is the highest position of his career.
Steven Cheung Career Wins
Steven Cheung’s career is built on a series of campaign and policy victories across two decades of Republican politics. His work has supported presidential wins, legislative achievements, and the confirmation of a Supreme Court justice.
Campaign Highlights
Cheung played a role in Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential victories, serving as director of rapid response in 2016 and as director of communications in 2024. He also contributed to the 2020 Republican National Convention, helping shape the party’s messaging during a unique virtual event. His early work on Senator John McCain’s 2008 campaign helped him build the relationships that would shape his later career.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond campaign work, Cheung was credited by colleagues with helping to advance the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act during Trump’s first term. His 2025 appointment as White House communications director represents a high point in a career that began with a college internship in Sacramento.
Steven Cheung Family
Family Background and Heritage
Steven Cheung was raised in South Sacramento, California, by parents who emigrated from Hong Kong. His mother was raised in Japan before moving to the United States. His upbringing in a working-class neighborhood shaped his early interest in politics and communications.
Personal Life
Steven Cheung’s personal life has remained largely out of the public eye, with few verified details about his relationships or family beyond his parents. He has focused his public profile on his political and communications work, including his high-profile role at the White House.