Who Is Beni Rae Harmony? Inside the 24-Year-Old Hired as Assistant White House Press Secretary

Beni Rae Harmony, 24, has been hired as an assistant White House press secretary, joining the communications team while the top press secretary post remains unfilled. The move has drawn attention and scrutiny after social media users resurfaced posts and photos from her past.

Background and Career

Harmony confirmed on X that she is joining the White House press office, writing: "I'm looking forward to this next chapter – serving the American people and continuing to fight for the American Dream. America First." She previously worked as a senior correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a network that began as a video-podcast platform linked to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Harmony has held several political communications roles, including serving as a press aide for Turning Point USA host Jack Posobiec and as a deputy press secretary for Republican congressmen Paul Gosar and Matt Gaetz. Before her White House hire, she frequently traveled with and covered President Trump for Real America’s Voice and was part of the press corps on his trip to Ireland; a photo taken aboard Air Force One showed a document with her name on it.

President Donald Trump holds a piece of paper titled with the name of Beni Rae Harmony on Air Force One from Shannon, Ireland to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

Controversy Surrounding Social Media Posts

Shortly after the announcement, a 2021 holiday photo of Harmony wearing a T-shirt that read "F*** Joe Biden" and holding a rifle circulated widely on social media. The image was originally shared on Instagram by former Republican House candidate Jarome Bell, who described Harmony as his campaign's public affairs director at the time. Harmony later reposted a similar photo from 2021 and answered a comment clarifying the identity of the person in the image.

In 2025, Harmony also drew attention when she delivered an emotional on-camera tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling him "a mentor" who encouraged her career. At the time she was associated with a local television outlet, WICS NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, Illinois; the station later said Harmony had not been employed in its news department and denied she was suspended over the tribute.

Context: Press Access and Tensions

Harmony’s appointment comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and several major news outlets. In September, the White House moved to restrict access for CNN, Politico and MSNBC — a decision that was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Public clashes between President Trump and female reporters have also been reported during his second term, making any new press office hire subject to heightened scrutiny.

Public Profile

Harmony maintains an active social media presence, with more than 77,000 followers on Instagram, where she frequently posted about reporting on and traveling with the president. Newsweek reached out to Harmony via X for comment and contacted the White House by email.

Note: This article summarizes publicly available reporting and social media posts related to Harmony’s hiring and background. Reporters and readers should consider primary sources and official statements for further verification.