Beni Rae Harmony: The White House communications team has gained a new member as President Donald Trump continues to search for a permanent replacement for former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Beni Rae Harmony, a 24-year-old former television reporter and current Real America’s Voice correspondent, has joined the administration as an assistant press secretary and spokesperson. She is expected to begin the new role on Monday.
Harmony’s appointment marks a move from covering the Trump administration from inside the White House press pool to working directly for it. She has regularly covered Trump in recent months and also travelled with the president to Ireland.
Who is Beni Rae Harmony?
Beni Rae Harmony is a 24-year-old American journalist and former television host who has recently moved from covering the White House to working inside the Trump administration. She joined Real America’s Voice in 2025 as a White House correspondent after working at WICS-ABC20 in Springfield, Illinois. Before her journalism career, Harmony worked in political communications and was associated with Turning Point USA, where she has said Charlie Kirk was her mentor.
She attracted national attention in September 2025 after delivering an emotional on-air tribute to Kirk and subsequently leaving WICS; Harmony said she had been suspended, while the station disputed that account.
In October 2026, Harmony was hired as an assistant White House press secretary and spokesperson, marking a shift from reporting on the Trump administration to becoming part of its communications team. TMZ reported that she had become a regular member of the White House press pool and had travelled with Trump before joining his administration.
Beni Rae Harmony Joins Trump White House
Harmony confirmed the appointment on X on Friday after reports first emerged about her move from journalism to the administration.
“I’m excited to announce that I am joining the Trump Administration as Asst. White House Press Secretary.”
She added, “I’m incredibly grateful to President Trump for this opportunity and his trust.”
Harmony also reflected on her previous role covering the administration, saying, “It’s been an honor to report, travel and cover this historic administration as Senior White House Correspondent for Real America’s Voice. My goal has always been to ask the questions that matter to real Americans and make sure their voices are heard.”
I’m excited to announce that I am joining the Trump Administration as Asst. White House Press Secretary.
It’s been an honor to report, travel, and cover this historic administration as Senior White House Correspondent for Real America’s Voice. My goal has always been to ask the…
— Beni Rae Harmony (@BeniRaeHarmony) October 2, 2026
Her appointment was also confirmed by Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary.
“Beni Rae Harmony has been a trusted voice for the MAGA movement as a White House correspondent. She will be an outstanding addition to President Trump’s communications team as an Assistant Press Secretary — we look forward to having her on board!”
From White House Reporter to Administration Official
Harmony joined Real America’s Voice in September 2025 after leaving her position at WICS-ABC20 in Springfield, Illinois.
Real America’s Voice announced her arrival as a Washington-based correspondent who would cover Capitol Hill and serve as a backup White House correspondent.
Her move to the Trump administration now gives her a different role in the same political environment she has been covering.
According to TMZ, Harmony had recently become a regular presence among White House reporters and had travelled with Trump. The outlet also reported that Trump had taken an interest in her work before she was brought into his communications operation.
Why Did Beni Rae Harmony Leave Her Previous TV Job?
Harmony’s departure from WICS came in September 2025 after she delivered an emotional on-air tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whom she described as a mentor and her first boss.
Harmony said she had been suspended after the tribute and later announced her resignation. However, the company that owned WICS disputed that account and said she resigned rather than being suspended or terminated.
During her broadcast, Harmony spoke about Kirk’s influence on her career and recalled advice he had given his staff:
“When conversations stop happening, when individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins. … Speak loudly, even if your voice shakes. Your words have meaning, your values have purpose.”
She ended the tribute by thanking Kirk and saying he had “changed her life.”
After leaving WICS, Harmony moved to Real America’s Voice, where she continued her journalism career before taking the White House communications position.
Karoline Leavitt’s White House Press Secretary Job Remains Open
Harmony’s appointment does not mean she has taken over as White House press secretary.
That position remains vacant following Karoline Leavitt’s departure at the end of August. The White House confirmed on August 27 that Leavitt had completed her final day in the role.
Before her departure, Leavitt explained that she wanted to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child.
“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.”
Trump has not yet announced her permanent replacement. CBS News previously reported that the administration was still considering possible candidates, while press briefings were expected to rotate among senior administration officials.
Who Could Replace Karoline Leavitt?
Several names have been discussed for the top White House press role, including conservative commentator Scott Jennings and White House officials such as Anna Kelly.
Trump has also publicly discussed possible candidates, but no final decision has been announced.
For now, Harmony will work as an assistant press secretary and spokesperson, adding another young media figure to Trump’s communications operation while the administration continues its search for a permanent press secretary.
Beni Rae Harmony’s New Role
Harmony’s move is notable because she is joining the White House after spending the past year reporting on the administration from the other side of the briefing-room divide.
Her background includes local television, work with Turning Point USA and a year covering Washington for Real America’s Voice. Her new position will put her inside the administration’s communications structure rather than among the journalists covering it.
The White House has not indicated that Harmony’s appointment changes the search for Leavitt’s replacement. For now, the main press secretary position remains open.
Beni Rae Harmony Suspended
Beni Rae Harmony became widely known in September 2025 after leaving her job at WICS/NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, Illinois, following an emotional on-air tribute to Charlie Kirk.
Harmony said she had been suspended after the tribute and later resigned from the station. She wrote that her resignation followed being suspended for airing what she described as a non-partisan tribute.
However, WICS and its owner disputed the suspension claim. Rincon Broadcasting Group said Harmony was not suspended or terminated and that she chose to resign.
Beni Harmony Boyfriend
There is no reliable public information confirming Beni Rae Harmony has a boyfriend.
Beni Harmony Age
Beni Rae Harmony is 24 years old, according to TMZ’s October 2, 2026 report about her appointment to the Trump administration. She is now working as an assistant White House press secretary and spokesperson.
Beni Harmony Salary
Her current White House salary has not been publicly confirmed in reliable reporting.
There are salary databases covering congressional staff and government employees, but they should not be used to claim her current White House pay without a specific record for her new position.
Is Beni Harmony Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Beni Rae Harmony is married.
Beni Rae Harmony New Job
Beni Rae Harmony has been hired by the Trump administration as an assistant White House press secretary and spokesperson.
She is moving from her position as a White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice into the administration’s communications team. TMZ reported that she will begin the new position on Monday.
The appointment does not mean she has become White House press secretary. That position remains separate, and the administration has not yet announced a permanent replacement for Karoline Leavitt.
Beni Rae Harmony Education
Available biographical information lists Harmony as having studied at Arizona State University and the University of Illinois Springfield.
Her education is reported as:
- Associate of Science in Global Management – Arizona State University
- Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government – University of Illinois Springfield
Beni Rae Harmony Career Before White House
Harmony’s career has included both journalism and political communications.
Before becoming a television reporter, she worked in political roles, including positions connected with congressional offices and campaigns. LegiStorm records a previous role as Deputy Junior Press Assistant for Rep. Paul Gosar from January 2022 to February 2023.
She also previously worked with Turning Point USA, where she said Charlie Kirk was her mentor and first boss. After leaving WICS in 2025, she joined Real America’s Voice as a Washington-based correspondent covering Capitol Hill and serving as a backup White House correspondent.
Her latest move takes her from covering the Trump administration to working inside it.
