Mercedes Schlapp

 Mercedes Schlapp (nee Viana, born on December 27, 1972) is an American communications specialist who has worked as a political commentator on both English and Spanish media. She served as the White House Director for Strategic Communications from September 2017 until July 2019, and was also the director of specialty media during George W. Bush's administrations. She was the first generation of Cuban-Americans, born in Florida. Matt Schlapp is her husband. [The Schlapps are parents to five daughters.Schlapp says she owes her love of politics to her father who escaped captivity as a political prisoner of the Castro regime in 1960s CubaSchlapp received an undergraduate degree from Florida International University and a master of public administration at George Washington University. In December 2019 she was awarded an FIU Medallion--Outstanding Alumna for her achievementsSchlapp worked on local and national political campaigns, as well as the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns for George W. Bush, and was Director of Specialty Media in his administration.Schlapp also worked as senior advisor for strategic communications on the Trump reelection campaign in 2020