PERSON: Mercedes Schlapp

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Mercedes Schlapp (née Viana; born December 27, 1972) is an American communications specialist and political commentator for both English and Spanish media. She has served in two presidential administrations as director of specialty media under George W. Bush and as White House Director of Strategic Communications in the Trump Administration from September 2017 to July 2019. She went on to work on the Trump 2020 re-election campaign as senior advisor for strategic communications.

She is also co-founder of Cove Strategies, and advises media strategy for corporate and nonprofit organizations.

Schlapp is a first-generation Cuban-American born in Florida, the younger sister of educator José Alejandro Viana. She is married to Matt Schlapp, the chair of the American Conservative Union. The Schlapps have five daughters.

Schlapp credits her interest in politics to her father, who escaped from prison in 1960s Cuba, under the administration of Fidel Castro.

Schlapp earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in 1994 and a master of public administration from George Washington University. In December 2019 she was awarded an FIU Medallion—Outstanding Alumna for her achievements.

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