By Nikki Schwab, Senior U.S. Political Reporter
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President Joe Biden‘s ‘bodyman,’ Stephen Goepfert, is set to leave the White House at the end of the week.
CNN reported Tuesday that Goepfert will depart the West Wing for a position in the Transportation Department.
Goepfert, who was the first out gay man to hold the role of personal aide to a president, has worked for Biden as a ‘bodyman’ since his 2020 presidential campaign, and before that, in the Obama White House.
President Joe Biden’s ‘bodyman,’ Stephen Goepfert, is set to leave the White House at the end of the week
Stephen Goepfert (left) was the first openly gay man to hold the title of personal aide to the president, for President Joe Biden (right)
Stephen Goepfert, President Joe Biden’s ‘bodyman,’ carries bags and other supplies across the South Lawn after arriving back at the White House from Rehoboth Beach
Jen Psaki – Biden’s press secretary
Amanda Finney – Psaki’s chief of staff
Symone Sanders – Harris’ chief spokesperson
Tina Flourney – Harris’ chief of staff
Ashley Etienne – Harris senior aide
Vincent Evans – Harris senior aide
Carissa Smith – public engagement aide
Kalisha Dessources Figures – gender policy aide
Linda Etim – National Security Council senior director
Cameron Trimble – digital engagement director
Mike Gwin – Rapid Response director
Vedant Patel – Biden deputy spokesperson
Michael Kikukawa – Biden press assistant
David Kieve – director for environment engagement
Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo – associate counsel
As the president’s ‘bodyman,’ Goepfert is often the first and last staffer Biden sees every day.
And while not wholly a public figure, he’s often caught on camera placing remarks on the podium before Biden delivers a speech, or passing the president a note.
‘From the campaign to the White House, Stephen Goepfert has been by my side,’ the president said in a statement to CNN.
‘In moments big, small, and extraordinary, he’s been a trusted and loyal confidant who everyone counts on and who always delivers,’ the president continued.
‘Jill and I will miss Stephen, but we’re proud that he will continue to serve the American people in his new role in the Biden-Harris administration as he continues his career in public service,’ Biden added.
CNN reported that Goepfert’s replacement will be Jacob Spreyer, currently the official White House receptionist.
Goepfert entered the Obama administration as a deputy director in the Office of Presidential Correspondence.
He caught the attention of Steve Ricchetti, who currently serves as Biden’s counselor to the president.
Then, Ricchetti was serving as Vice President Joe Biden’s chief of staff and brought Goepfert over to serve as a senior adviser.
During the 2020 campaign, Goepfert’s name came up when Biden’s personal aide quit.
‘You’re literally at the border of where the president’s privacy and public duties sit,’ Ricchetti told CNN. ‘Stephen has had the ability and the willingness to help the president navigate everything he did throughout the day. That ends up being a critical role.’
Ricchetti also portrayed Goepfert as a nice guy.
‘There is nothing that President Biden values more than authentic personal connection with people who he meets along the way,’ Ricchetti told CNN. ‘How his personal aide treats other people alongside of him is vitally important as an expression of who the president is – and Stephen is just phenomenal at that.’
Goepfert joins an exodus of White House employees who have left in recent months – though mostly stayed in government positions.
For instance, White House rapid response director Mike Gwin took a job in the Treasury Department, as did press assistant Michael Kikukawa.
Vedant Patel, an assistant White House press secretary, left to become deputy spokesperson at the State Department.
Amanda Finney, Chief of Staff for the White House press office, departed in June for the Energy Department.
Those who haven’t stayed in the federal government have gone to work in media, including former chief spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, Symone Sanders, who now has a show on MSNBC.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki also headed to MSNBC.
First Lady Jill Biden’s press secretary Michael LaRosa went to Hamilton Place Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm.
Late last month, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield decided to stay in her position after previously announcing she was leaving.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group