History of Michael Caputo in Timeline

Michael Caputo is an American political strategist and lobbyist. He served as Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs at HHS under Trump. He has a long history in politics, including working for Reagan, George H.W. Bush's 1992 campaign, and later advising Boris Yeltsin in Russia. Caputo also worked for Gazprom Media to improve Vladimir Putin's image in the U.S. He later founded a public relations company and worked on a campaign in Ukraine.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

March 24, 1962: Michael Caputo's Birth

On March 24, 1962, Michael Raymon Caputo was born, marking the beginning of his life.

1962: Birth in Buffalo, New York

In 1962, Michael Caputo was born in Buffalo, New York.

1983: Enrolled at the University at Buffalo

In 1983, after leaving the Army, Michael Caputo enrolled at the University at Buffalo.

1992: Director of Media Services for George H. W. Bush Campaign

In 1992, Michael Caputo served as the director of media services for George H. W. Bush's presidential campaign.

1994: Established Residence in Russia

In 1994, Michael Caputo established his residence in Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

1994: Moves to Russia

In 1994, Michael Caputo relocated to Russia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

1995: Advisor to Boris Yeltsin

In 1995, Michael Caputo served as an advisor to Boris Yeltsin.

1997: Became a business partner and close friend of Sergey Petrushin

On or about 1997, Michael Caputo became a business partner and close friend of Sergey Petrushin

1999: President of The Florence Group

In 1999, Michael Caputo served as president of The Florence Group.

2000: Conversion to Catholicism

In 2000, Michael Caputo became a Catholic, later saying this religious change helped him find peace.

2000: Worked for Gazprom Media to Improve Putin's Image

In 2000, Michael Caputo was contracted by Gazprom Media to enhance Vladimir Putin's public relations standing in the U.S.

2000: Worked for Gazprom Media

In 2000, Michael Caputo worked for Gazprom Media to improve Vladimir Putin's image in the U.S.

2007: Advising a Politician's Campaign in Ukraine

In 2007, Michael Caputo moved back to Europe to advise a politician's campaign for parliament in Ukraine.

2007: Meeting Maryna Ponomarenko

While advising in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2007, Michael Caputo met Maryna Ponomarenko, who became his second wife.

2010: Campaign Manager for Carl Paladino's Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2010, Michael Caputo served as the campaign manager for Carl Paladino's unsuccessful campaign for governor of New York.

2010: Campaign Manager for Carl Paladino

In 2010, Michael Caputo was the campaign manager for Carl Paladino's unsuccessful bid for Governor of New York.

2010: Joins forces with Carl Paladino

In 2016, Michael Caputo joined forces with his former employer from the 2010 gubernatorial race, Carl Paladino to support Trump in New York

2013: Received J.D. Degree

In 2013, Michael Caputo received his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

2013: Conversation with Trump about Russia

In 2013, Michael Caputo stated that the only time he and President Trump talked about Russia was during a dinner conversation where Trump asked him what it was like to live there.

2014: Launched Astroturfing Campaign for Buffalo Bills

In 2014, Donald Trump hired Michael Caputo to initiate an astroturfing campaign to support Trump's bid for the Buffalo Bills football team, creating the organization '12th Man Thunder'.

November 2015: Becomes Senior Advisor to Trump's Political Efforts

In November 2015, Michael Caputo became a senior advisor to Donald Trump's political efforts.

November 2015: Joins Trump Campaign

In November 2015, Michael Caputo joined the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign, initially overseeing communications for New York.

May 2016: Meeting with Henry Greenberg

In May 2016, Michael Caputo and Roger Stone met with Henry Greenberg, a Russian national who claimed to have damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

June 2016: Leaves Trump Campaign

In June 2016, Michael Caputo departed from the Donald Trump campaign after publicly supporting the removal of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

June 20, 2016: Fired from Trump Campaign

On June 20, 2016, Michael Caputo was terminated from the Trump campaign shortly after Corey Lewandowski's departure, following Caputo's supportive tweet about Lewandowski's exit.

2016: Political Advisor to Trump

In 2016, during the New York Republican primary, Michael Caputo became a political advisor to Donald Trump, aiding him in winning the state's primary.

March 20, 2017: Questioned by Representative Jackie Speier

On March 20, 2017, Representative Jackie Speier questioned FBI Director James Comey about Michael Caputo, citing his employment with Gazprom and history in Ukraine. Caputo worked with the House Intelligence Committee to respond to queries and denied ties to Russia while on the Trump campaign.

May 9, 2017: Contacted by House Intelligence Committee

On May 9, 2017, Michael Caputo was contacted by the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The committee requested he be interviewed voluntarily and submit relevant documents.

May 2017: Claims 'Coordinated, Silent Coup' Causing Leaks

In May 2017, after reports of Donald Trump disclosing classified information to Russia, Michael Caputo told the Associated Press that leaks from within the Trump Administration were due to 'a coordinated, silent coup'.

June 2017: Caputo learns Greenberg is Russian

In June 2017, Michael Caputo stated that it wasn't until prosecutors informed him that Henry Greenberg was Russian, that he learned the man he had spoken with in 2016 was not a U.S. citizen.

2017: Bills Fan Thunder Remained in Operation

In 2017, Bills Fan Thunder remained in operation as a charity.

2019: Posted Sexually Crude and Sexist Tweets

In 2019, Michael Caputo posted sexually crude and sexist tweets directed at women.

April 2020: Appointed to Department of Health and Human Services

In April 2020, Michael Caputo was appointed as the assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for public affairs, despite lacking a medical or scientific background.

September 13, 2020: Caputo's Facebook Video Assertions

On September 13, 2020, Michael Caputo asserted in a video on his personal Facebook page that CDC scientists were engaged in "sedition" against Trump, spoke of left-wing "hit squads", advised his listeners to "buy ammunition", and claimed that the shooting of a right wing protester in Portland had been "a drill". He also expressed fears for his safety and deteriorating mental health.

September 14, 2020: Caputo Claims Hit Squads Being Trained

On September 14, 2020, Michael Caputo claimed in a Facebook video that 'there are hit squads being trained all over this country' to oppose a second Trump term and expressed concerns for his own safety.

September 2020: Tried to Influence CDC Reports on COVID-19

In September 2020, a report surfaced revealing that Michael Caputo and his team attempted to alter, delay, suppress, and retroactively edit scientific reports from the CDC on COVID-19, particularly those conflicting with President Trump's public statements.

September 24, 2020: Diagnosis of Metastatic Cancer

On September 24, 2020, a spokesman for Michael Caputo's family announced that he had been diagnosed with metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat.

2020: Posted Sexually Crude and Sexist Tweets

In 2020, Michael Caputo continued posting numerous sexually crude and sexist tweets directed at women.

2020: Key Figure in HHS Advertising Campaign

In 2020, Michael Caputo was a key figure in planning a $300 million HHS advertising campaign, funded by the CDC, to "defeat despair" about COVID-19 using video interviews with officials and celebrities, which faced setbacks and investigations.

2020: Posted Racist Tweets About Chinese People

In early 2020, Michael Caputo posted multiple offensive and racist tweets about Chinese people before deleting them prior to his HHS appointment.

2020: Wrote and Produced 'The Ukraine Hoax'

In early 2020, during President Trump's impeachment, Michael Caputo wrote 'The Ukraine Hoax: How Decades of Corruption in the Former Soviet Republic Led to Trump's Phony Impeachment' and produced a documentary of the same name.

May 2026: Request for Reimbursement

In May 2026, Michael Caputo requested $2.7 million in reimbursement from a $1.8 billion fund for victims of alleged “lawfare”, claiming the government was weaponized against his family.