History of Sean Spicer in Timeline

Sean Spicer is an American former political aide who worked as the 30th White House Press Secretary and White House Communications Director for President Donald Trump in 2017. Prior to this, he served as the communications director of the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and as its chief strategist from 2015 to 2017.

1944: Birth of Sean Spicer's father

Michael William Spicer, Sean Spicer's father, was born in 1944.

September 23, 1971: Sean Spicer's birth

Sean Michael Spicer was born on September 23, 1971.

1985: Spicer begins attending Portsmouth Abbey School

Sean Spicer became a student at Portsmouth Abbey School, a Catholic boarding institution in Rhode Island, in 1985.

1989: Spicer starts at Connecticut College

In 1989, Sean Spicer began his studies at Connecticut College.

1989: Spicer graduates from Portsmouth Abbey School

Sean Spicer graduates from Portsmouth Abbey School in 1989.

April 1993: The College Voice incident

In April 1993, an article in Connecticut College's student newspaper, The College Voice, referred to Sean Spicer using a derogatory nickname. Spicer's strong reaction, including pursuing legal action against the paper, was seen as indicative of his future contentious relationship with the media.

1993: Spicer's early career in political campaigns

After graduating from college in 1993, Sean Spicer worked on various political campaigns.

1999: Spicer joins the U.S. Navy Reserve

In 1999, Sean Spicer joined the United States Navy Reserve as a public affairs officer.

2000: Spicer becomes communications director on the House Government Reform Committee

From 2000 to 2001, Sean Spicer served as the communications director on the House Government Reform Committee.

2001: Spicer's role at the National Republican Congressional Committee

Between 2001 and 2002, Sean Spicer held the position of director of incumbent retention at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

2002: End of Spicer's term at the National Republican Congressional Committee

In 2002, Sean Spicer concludes his role at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

2003: Spicer begins working for the House Budget Committee

Sean Spicer joined the House Budget Committee as the communications director and spokesman in 2003.

November 13, 2004: Spicer Marries Rebecca Miller

Sean Spicer married Rebecca Miller, a television producer at the time, on November 13, 2004 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

2005: Spicer concludes his role at the House Budget Committee

In 2005, Sean Spicer ended his tenure as the communications director and spokesman for the House Budget Committee.

2006: Spicer joins the Office of the United States Trade Representative

From 2006 to 2009, Sean Spicer served as the assistant for media and public affairs at the Office of the United States Trade Representative under President George W. Bush's administration.

2009: Spicer co-founds Endeavor Global Strategies

From 2009 to 2011, Sean Spicer was a partner at Endeavor Global Strategies, a public relations firm he co-founded.

2009: End of Spicer's term at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Sean Spicer completed his term at the Office of the United States Trade Representative in 2009.

February 2011: Spicer starts as RNC communications director

Sean Spicer assumed the role of communications director for the Republican National Committee in February 2011.

February 2011: Spicer leaves Endeavor Global Strategies

Sean Spicer departs from Endeavor Global Strategies, a public relations firm he co-founded, in February 2011.

2011: Communications Director for the Republican National Committee

Sean Spicer began his role as the communications director of the Republican National Committee in 2011.

2012: Spicer receives master's degree

Sean Spicer earned his master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2012.

2013: Spicer's inaccurate statements about inauguration floor coverings

Sean Spicer falsely claimed that floor coverings used during President Trump's inauguration, which contributed to the appearance of smaller crowds, were not used in previous inaugurations, including Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013.

February 2015: Spicer becomes chief strategist at RNC

Sean Spicer takes on the additional role of chief strategist for the Republican Party in February 2015.

June 2015: Spicer criticizes Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants

In June 2015, Sean Spicer publicly criticized then-presidential candidate Donald Trump's remarks about Mexican immigrants, stating that such generalizations were unhelpful.

July 2015: Spicer condemns Trump's remarks about John McCain

Sean Spicer publicly criticized Donald Trump's comments on U.S. Senator John McCain in July 2015, emphasizing that such disparaging remarks were unacceptable.

2015: Chief Strategist for the Republican National Committee

In 2015, Sean Spicer became the chief strategist for the Republican National Committee.

December 2016: Spicer's Naval Reserve assignment

As of December 2016, Sean Spicer was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff's naval reserve contingent in Washington, D.C.

December 22, 2016: Spicer named White House press secretary

Sean Spicer was appointed as the White House press secretary for Donald Trump on December 22, 2016.

2016: Death of Sean Spicer's father

Sean Spicer's father, Michael William Spicer, passed away in 2016.

January 21, 2017: Spicer's false claims about inauguration crowd size

On January 21, 2017, Sean Spicer, in his role as White House press secretary, made the controversial claim that the crowds at President Trump's inauguration were the largest ever, despite evidence to the contrary. This claim was widely disputed, leading to Kellyanne Conway's infamous "alternative facts" remark.

January 23, 2017: Spicer's first official press conference

On January 23, 2017, Sean Spicer held his first official White House press conference, where he addressed questions from reporters.

February 7, 2017: Reports of Trump's Disappointment in Spicer's Performance

On February 7, 2017, CNN reported that President Donald Trump was dissatisfied with Sean Spicer's performance as Press Secretary.

February 2017: White House Excludes News Outlets from Press Briefing

In February 2017, the White House barred certain news organizations, including the BBC, CNN, and others, from a press briefing (or "gaggle") with Sean Spicer, a move that sparked criticism from the outlets involved and the White House Correspondents' Association.

March 6, 2017: Spicer Replaced by Michael Dubke as Communications Director

On March 6, 2017, Michael Dubke took over Sean Spicer's role as temporary communications director.

April 11, 2017: Spicer's Statement on Khan Shaykhun Chemical Attack

On April 11, 2017, Sean Spicer issued a statement concerning the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack, criticizing the Syrian government and drawing a comparison to Hitler's actions during World War II.

April 2017: Poll shows Spicer's high name recognition

A Politico/Morning Consult poll in April 2017 revealed that Sean Spicer had a nationwide name recognition of 60%, significantly higher than other White House personnel and past press secretaries.

July 11, 2017: Spicer Sued for Blocking Users on Trump's Twitter

On July 11, 2017, Sean Spicer, along with Donald Trump and Dan Scavino, faced a lawsuit from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University in a U.S. federal court in Manhattan. The lawsuit, Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, alleged a violation of the First Amendment by blocking certain users from accessing President Trump's Twitter content.

July 21, 2017: Spicer's resignation as White House Press Secretary

On July 21, 2017, Sean Spicer resigned from his position as White House Press Secretary.

August 2017: Spicer Resigns as White House Press Secretary

Sean Spicer announced his resignation as White House Press Secretary on July 21, 2017, following the appointment of Anthony Scaramucci as White House communications director. He continued to serve in the White House through August 2017.

September 17, 2017: Spicer Spoofs Himself at Emmy Awards

On September 17, 2017, Sean Spicer made a cameo appearance at the Emmy Awards, humorously referencing his first press conference as President Trump's press secretary.

December 2017: Spicer Announces Book Deal

In December 2017, Sean Spicer announced on "The Sean Hannity Show" that he would be publishing a book in July 2018 titled "The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President," detailing his time in the Trump administration.

2017: White House Press Secretary and Communications Director

In 2017, Sean Spicer served as the 30th White House Press Secretary and White House Communications Director under President Donald Trump.

2017: Spicer's role in Department of Defense task force

In 2017, Sean Spicer was part of the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Task Force.

2017: Spicer Satirized on Saturday Night Live

Throughout 2017, Sean Spicer's press conferences were parodied four times on "Saturday Night Live," with actress Melissa McCarthy portraying him. Spicer himself acknowledged the humor in the sketches.

July 2018: Spicer Publishes Memoir

Sean Spicer's book, "The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President," was released in July 2018.

July 31, 2019: Trump Appoints Spicer to Naval Academy Board

On July 31, 2019, President Trump announced his intention to appoint Sean Spicer to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy.

August 2019: Spicer Announced as Contestant on Dancing with the Stars

In August 2019, Sean Spicer was revealed as a participant in season 28 of "Dancing with the Stars." This decision sparked criticism and debate on social media and within ABC News.

March 2020: Spicer Begins Hosting "Spicer & Co." on Newsmax TV

In March 2020, Sean Spicer became the host of a political talk show titled "Spicer & Co." on Newsmax TV.

January 20, 2021: Spicer Attends Trump's Farewell Event

Sean Spicer was present at President Trump's farewell event at Joint Base Andrews on January 20, 2021

September 8, 2021: Biden Seeks Resignations from Trump Appointees

On September 8, 2021, the White House Communications Director confirmed that President Joe Biden had requested the resignations of 18 individuals appointed to military academy boards during the Trump administration, including Sean Spicer. Those refusing to resign would be terminated.

2021: Forbes Cautions Corporations Against Hiring Spicer

Following the January 6, 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Forbes issued a warning to corporations, advising them against employing Sean Spicer and other individuals associated with spreading misinformation during the Trump administration.