History of Stephanie Grisham in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 21, 2024

Stephanie Ann Grisham is a former White House official who served under the Trump administration. She held various prominent roles, including White House Press Secretary, White House Communications Director, and Chief of Staff and Press Secretary for First Lady Melania Trump. Her tenure in these positions spanned from 2017 to 2021.

1939: Hatch Act of 1939

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a United States federal law whose main provision prohibits employees in the executive branch of the federal government from engaging in some forms of political activity.

1994: Grisham Graduates High School

Stephanie Grisham graduated from Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee, Washington in 1994.

April 7, 1997: Stephanie Sommerville Marries Danny Don Marries

On April 7, 1997, Stephanie Sommerville married Danny Don Marries in Nevada. The couple had met while attending Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado.

1997: Grisham Registers to Vote in Arizona

In 1997, Stephanie Grisham registered to vote as a Democrat in Arizona.

2004: Stephanie Sommerville Marries Todd Grisham

Following her divorce from Danny Don Marries, Stephanie Sommerville married Todd Grisham, a KOLD sportscaster, in 2004.

2004: Stephanie Sommerville and Danny Don Marries Divorce

Stephanie Sommerville and Danny Don Marries divorced in 2004.

2006: Stephanie and Todd Grisham Divorce

Stephanie and Todd Grisham's marriage ended in divorce in 2006.

December 25, 2007: Grisham's Second Son is Born

On December 25, 2007, Stephanie Grisham gave birth to her second son, Jake.

2007: Grisham's Employment at AAA Arizona Terminated

Stephanie Grisham's tenure as a spokesperson for AAA Arizona ended in 2007 after allegations of falsifying expense reports.

2008: Grisham Joins Arizona Charter Schools Association

Stephanie Grisham's career path led her to the Arizona Charter Schools Association in 2008, where she served as a spokesperson.

2010: Grisham's Time at Arizona Charter Schools Association Ends

Stephanie Grisham concluded her role as a spokesperson for the Arizona Charter Schools Association in 2010.

2011: Grisham Becomes Spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General

Stephanie Grisham took on the role of spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne around 2011.

August 2012: Grisham's License Suspended

In August 2012, Stephanie Grisham's driver's license was suspended due to her failure to address a traffic citation.

2012: Grisham Works on Mitt Romney's Presidential Campaign

Stephanie Grisham was involved in Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

January 9, 2013: Grisham Arrested for DUI

On January 9, 2013, Stephanie Grisham was arrested in Gilbert, Arizona, for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and prescription medications. Her blood alcohol content was above the legal limit, and she was driving with a suspended license.

August 2014: Grisham Accepts Plea Bargain

In August 2014, Stephanie Grisham accepted a plea bargain agreement related to her 2013 DUI arrest. The charge was reduced to misdemeanor reckless driving, but she faced probation, fines, and mandatory participation in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving program.

2014: Grisham Becomes Spokesperson for Arizona House Republicans

In 2014, Stephanie Grisham assumed the position of spokesperson for the Republican caucus in the Arizona House of Representatives.

2014: Grisham's Tenure as Spokesperson for Horne Concludes

Stephanie Grisham's time as spokesperson for Tom Horne, the Arizona Attorney General, came to an end around 2014.

August 2015: Grisham Joins Donald Trump's Campaign as Press Aide

Stephanie Grisham's involvement with Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign began around August 2015 when she joined as a press aide.

September 2015: Grisham Coordinates Press for Pope Francis' Visit

In September 2015, Stephanie Grisham served as an independent contractor, coordinating press for Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia.

December 5, 2015: Grisham Arrested for DUI, Violating Probation

Shortly after midnight on December 5, 2015, Stephanie Grisham was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, for driving without headlights and suspicion of DUI. This arrest violated her probation from her previous DUI case.

January 19, 2016: Arrest Warrant Issued for Grisham

A warrant for Stephanie Grisham's arrest was issued on January 19, 2016, when she failed to appear in court for her December 2015 DUI arrest.

May 2016: Grisham Takes Leave to Focus on Trump Campaign

In May 2016, Stephanie Grisham took an unpaid leave from her position at the Arizona House of Representatives to dedicate her time to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

July 2016: Grisham Pleads Guilty, Enters Treatment Program

In July 2016, Stephanie Grisham pleaded guilty to her DUI charge stemming from her December 2015 arrest. The court ordered her to participate in a treatment program and pay court-related costs and fines.

2016: Grisham Joins Trump's Presidential Campaign

Stephanie Grisham joined Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a press aide.

January 2017: Grisham Appointed Deputy Press Secretary in White House

Following Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017, Stephanie Grisham was appointed as Deputy Press Secretary under Sean Spicer in the White House's West Wing.

March 2017: Grisham Joins First Lady's Office

In March 2017, First Lady Melania Trump brought Stephanie Grisham into the East Wing to work within her office.

2017: Grisham Begins as Melania Trump's Press Secretary

Stephanie Grisham's journey as Press Secretary for Melania Trump commenced in 2017.

July 11, 2018: Grisham Warned for Hatch Act Violation

On July 11, 2018, Stephanie Grisham received a warning letter from the United States Office of Special Counsel for violating the Hatch Act of 1939 by using her official Twitter account to promote a campaign slogan.

June 25, 2019: Melania Trump Announces Grisham's New Roles

On June 25, 2019, Melania Trump took to Twitter to announce Stephanie Grisham's appointment as both White House Press Secretary and White House Communications Director.

June 28, 2019: Grisham's Title and Salary Reported to Congress

The June 28, 2019 Annual Report to Congress on White House Office Personnel listed Stephanie Grisham's official title as "Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for the First Lady," with an annual salary of $183,000.

July 2019: Grisham Becomes White House Press Secretary

Stephanie Grisham assumed the position of White House Press Secretary in July 2019, replacing Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

September 5, 2019: Grisham Criticizes Media Coverage of Trump's Accomplishments

On September 5, 2019, the Washington Examiner published an opinion piece co-authored by Stephanie Grisham and her deputy, Hogan Gidley, criticizing The Washington Post's coverage of the Trump administration, claiming they overlooked certain achievements.

September 23, 2019: Grisham Defends Absence of Press Briefings

On September 23, 2019, Stephanie Grisham defended the White House's decision to discontinue daily press briefings, suggesting they had become overly theatrical and that some reporters were using them for self-promotion.

October 24, 2019: Grisham Defends Trump's "Human Scum" Remark

On October 24, 2019, Stephanie Grisham defended President Trump's use of the term "human scum" to describe "Never Trump Republicans," arguing that those working against the President's agenda deserved strong criticism.

October 26, 2019: Grisham Criticizes Former Chief of Staff John Kelly

In response to criticism from former White House Chief of Staff Gen. John F. Kelly, Stephanie Grisham publicly stated on October 26, 2019, that she believed he was "totally unequipped to handle the genius of our President."

November 13, 2019: Grisham Calls Impeachment Inquiry a "Sham Hearing"

On November 13, 2019, Stephanie Grisham publicly criticized the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, labeling it a "sham hearing" that wasted taxpayer money and time.

December 2019: Grisham Defends Trump's Remark About John Dingell

In December 2019, Stephanie Grisham defended President Trump's controversial comment implying that former congressman John Dingell was in hell. She characterized Trump's response as that of a "counter-puncher" facing attacks.

2019: Grisham Begins Dating Max Miller

Stephanie Grisham began a romantic relationship with Max Miller, a Trump White House aide, in 2019.

April 7, 2020: Grisham Appointed Chief of Staff to Melania Trump

On April 7, 2020, Stephanie Grisham took on the role of Chief of Staff for First Lady Melania Trump.

April 2020: Grisham Transitions to Chief of Staff for Melania Trump

In April 2020, Grisham transitioned from her role as White House Press Secretary to become the Chief of Staff for First Lady Melania Trump.

2020: Grisham and Miller's Relationship Ends

The relationship between Stephanie Grisham and Max Miller ended in 2020 after a heated argument and allegations of physical altercation and infidelity.

January 6, 2021: Grisham Resigns Following Capitol Storming

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Stephanie Grisham tendered her resignation.

September 2021: Grisham Announces Publication of Memoir

In September 2021, Stephanie Grisham announced the forthcoming publication of her book, "I'll Take Your Questions Now," which delves into her experiences working in the Trump administration.

2021: Grisham's Tenure as Chief of Staff Concludes

Stephanie Grisham concluded her term as Chief of Staff for Melania Trump in 2021.

January 5, 2022: Grisham Testifies to the January 6th Committee

On January 5, 2022, Stephanie Grisham provided testimony to the January 6th Committee, marking her second time speaking to them. She revealed information about Trump's secret meetings and intentions to march to the Capitol.

May 18, 2022: Grisham Provides Further Testimony to the January 6th Committee

On May 18, 2022, Stephanie Grisham provided additional testimony to the January 6th Committee, building upon her previous statements.

August 20, 2024: Grisham Criticizes Trump at the Democratic National Convention

During the 2024 Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024, Stephanie Grisham publicly condemned Donald Trump, accusing him of mocking his supporters and lacking morals and truthfulness.