Who is Stephanie Grisham? What to know about the ex-Trump staffer's speech at the DNC

Updated

In a surprising turn of events for some, a former member of Trump administration took the stage Tuesday at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Stephanie Grisham, who served as the White House Press Secretary from July 2019 to April 2020 for former President Donald Trump, appeared at the convention this week. After working in the White House, she is switching parties and throwing her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee who will face off against Trump this November.

Trump "has no empathy, no morals, and no fidelity to the truth," Grisham said in her speech Tuesday, USA TODAY reported.

Here's what to know about Grisham.

Democratic convention replay: Barack Obama backs Kamala Harris, honors Joe Biden in Chicago

Who is Stephanie Grisham?

Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.
Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Stephanie Grisham was Trump's White House Press Secretary from July 2019 to April 2020 and former First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff from April 2020 to January 2021.

She joined the Trump campaign in 2015, and before that, worked for then-Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne and the Republican caucus for the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

She also worked on Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

Grisham said she was a "true believer" in the former president until January 6, 2021. She became the first senior staffer in the Trump Administration to resign after the insurrection at the United States Capitol Building.

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Why was Stephanie Grisham at the DNC?

Grisham spoke at the DNC on Tuesday night, the same night as former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

In her speech at the DNC, USA TODAY reported that Grisham shared what it was like working under Trump.

"He used to tell me, 'It doesn't matter what you say, Stephanie, say it enough, and people will believe you.' But it does matter, what you [say] matters and what you don't say matters. On January 6, I asked Melania if we could at least Tweet that, while peaceful protest is the right of every American, there's no place for lawlessness or violence, she replied with one word, 'No.'"

When and where is the DNC?

The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

What are the themes for each night of the DNC?

The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is "For the People, For Our Future."

Here are the themes for each night:

  • Monday: "For the People"

  • Tuesday: "A Bold Vision for America's Future"

  • Wednesday: "A Fight for our Freedoms"

  • Thursday: "For our Future"

Contributing: Elizabeth Beyer and Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Stephanie Grisham? What to know about the ex-Trump staffer

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