Scoop: Trump campaign gets a new communications chief
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
Donald Trump's campaign quietly has changed a key part of its messaging operation, tapping Trump 2020 veteran Tim Murtaugh to lead its communications in the final month before the election, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The move reflects the campaign leadership's desire for better coordination of its messaging at a time when Trump has been talking more about policy — while still launching into rambling attacks on Vice President Harris and other Democrats.
- It also shows the influence of co-campaign manager Susie Wiles, who in recent weeks has managed to keep several of Trump's rabble-rousing favorites — such as Corey Lewandowski and Laura Loomer — at arms-length from the center of the campaign.
Zoom in: Murtaugh is an ex-journalist based in Leesburg, Va., who is a former 2020 Trump campaign communications director.
- He'll oversee research, rapid response and social media for Trump's communications team and coordinate Trump surrogates' media appearances, two people familiar with the matter tell Axios.
- He's worked in various roles in GOP politics, including for George Allen's 2000 Senate campaign. He wrote a book, "Swing Hard In Case You Hit It," about his journey from alcohol addiction to Trump's Air Force One.
- Murtaugh joined Trump's current campaign in August, as an adviser.
Between the lines: The campaign isn't changing anyone's titles in its communications team to try to avoid the appearance of a shake-up, the two sources said.
What they're saying: "The Trump campaign has the best communications professionals in politics today. Nobody else is even close," Wiles told Axios.
- "Danielle Alvarez, Steven Cheung and Brian Hughes are unparalleled," she said, adding that Murtaugh "is a proven day-to-day manager of the department and we welcomed him in the final sprint of our winning campaign.
- Murtaugh declined to comment.
Zoom out: Trump's communications team previously was led by Hughes, a longtime Florida political operative who ran the campaign's Florida operation earlier this cycle.
- Hughes and Alvarez were brought onto the campaign this year during Trump's takeover of the Republican National Committee.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Murtaugh is based in Leesburg, Va.
