What role does the White House Press Secretary play in the Trump era?

NPR | By Ayesha Rascoe

Published October 18, 2026 at 8:01 AM EDT

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Adm. John Kirby, who had spokesperson roles in the Obama and Biden administrations, about the utility of the role of the White House Press Secretary.

Ayesha Rascoe

Ayesha Rascoe is the host of Weekend Edition Sunday and the Saturday episodes of Up First.

See stories by Ayesha Rascoe

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