Aug 8, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Ben LaBolt, Biden communications director, promoted to senior adviser

Mike Allen

Ben LaBolt in the Oval Office with President Biden on April 2 for an interview prep session. Photo: Adam Schultz/The White House

Ben LaBolt, White House communications director, is adding the title of Senior Advisor to the President for the administration's stretch run, and will spend more time on broad strategy and advising President Biden,

Why it matters: LaBolt, who will continue to manage communications, will inherit many of the responsibilities of senior adviser Anita Dunn, who left the White House this week to consult for Future Forward, the largest Democratic-leaning super PAC.

The backstory: LaBolt, 42, a veteran of former President Obama's White House and campaign, has helped Biden a modern mix of traditional news + lifestyle outlets like dayside TV in this ever-more-fractured media landscape.

LaBolt managed Biden's prep process for media appearances — from Seth Meyers to Howard Stern, to interviews with network news anchors, to press conferences in capitals around the world.
LaBolt has leveraged a 20-plus-year Rolodex of media relationships developed on presidential campaigns, Capitol Hill and Supreme Court nomination fights.
He built a high-powered client roster at a communications and marketing agency that became part of the powerhouse Bully Pulpit International, where he was a partner.

What they're saying: White House chief of staff Jeff Zients told us: "Ben has a sophisticated understanding of how to break through in a shifting and complex media landscape and has become a trusted advisor to the President."

Zients said LaBolt will help the White House "navigate through the campaign period and then the final chapter of this presidency — and make sure Americans understand everything President Biden has delivered."

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Ben LaBolt, Biden communications director, promoted to senior adviser

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