Hope Hicks

Hope Hicks — Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Hope Hicks (born October 21, 1988) is an American public relations executive and political aide. Explore her early life, career at the highest levels of government, key moments, notable quotes, and enduring lessons from her path in public service.

Introduction

Hope Charlotte Hicks is an American public relations professional and political advisor best known for her connections to the Trump administration, where she held senior communications roles. Born in 1988, she emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the youngest and most trusted voices in the corridors of power. Her trajectory—shaped by discretion, loyalty, risk, and controversy—offers a compelling case study of communication in politics, the burden of trust, and the tension between public perception and private influence.

Early Life & Family

Hope Hicks was born on October 21, 1988, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Paul Burton Hicks III and Caye Ann (Cavender) Hicks.

As a child, Hope also engaged in modeling: she appeared in Greenwich Magazine in 2002, was part of a Ralph Lauren campaign with her sister, and even featured as a book-cover model for The It Girl novel.

She attended Greenwich High School, where she participated in athletics (notably lacrosse)—she was co-captain of the lacrosse team—and graduated around 2006. Southern Methodist University (SMU), majoring in English, and graduated in 2010.

Her early mix of communications exposure, modeling experience, and leadership in extracurriculars laid a foundation for her future roles.

Career & Achievements

Hope Hicks’s career path is unusual for a political aide: she had limited prior political experience before ascending to major roles in a presidential administration. Still, through talent, trust, and proximity to power, she carved a distinct niche.

Early Career in PR & the Trump Organization

Hicks began working in public relations in New York. She joined the firm Zeno Group, then in 2012 she worked with Hiltzik Strategies, managing clients including Ivanka Trump’s fashion line. Trump Organization, helping with public relations for Ivanka’s brand and other business interests.

Trump 2016 Campaign

Her transition to politics came during the 2016 presidential campaign. At age 26, she was tapped to serve as a press secretary for Trump’s candidacy.

White House: Communications & Strategic Roles

After Trump’s election, Hicks was initially appointed White House Director of Strategic Communications (January 2017 to September 2017). White House Communications Director, first in an acting capacity (August 2017) and then permanently as of September 12, 2017.

While in that role, Hicks acknowledged in congressional testimony that she sometimes told “white lies” on behalf of the administration.

Post-White House & Return as Counselor

After departing, Hicks joined Fox Corporation as executive vice president and chief communications officer. Counselor to the President (March 2020 – January 2021).

During her second tenure, she was involved in navigating crises including COVID-19 communications and social unrest.

Later Activities & Recent Roles

After leaving government, Hicks has been involved in media, advising, and legal matters. In 2022, she testified before the House January 6 Committee. Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Devil May Care Media, a company founded by Megyn Kelly, overseeing operations, business growth, and digital content.

Historical Context & Challenges

Hope Hicks’s public career unfolded during a particularly polarized era in U.S. politics, one defined by media scrutiny, rapid news cycles, social media, and legal controversies. Her role placed her at the intersection of communication strategy and crisis management.

• The Trump administration faced controversies over Russia, impeachment inquiries, and claims of election interference. Hicks was mentioned over 180 times in the Mueller Report and was subpoenaed in congressional investigations.

• Her public image and credibility became focal points: when to disclose, when to shield, and how to defend narratives.

• The decision to tell “white lies” and her limited disclosure during congressional questioning drew criticism and scrutiny about the ethics of communications in government.

• The post-2020 period placed Hicks in new terrain: balancing loyalty to a former president with legal accountability and evolving media roles.

Despite these challenges, she maintained a reputation for loyalty, discretion, and strategic thinking among many insiders.

Personality, Influence & Traits

Traits & Approach

• Discretion & composure: She is known for being low profile, thoughtful, and composed even under pressure.

• Loyalty & trustworthiness: She earned close personal confidence from her principals, particularly Donald Trump, which allowed her access and influence.

• Crisis management skills: Her rapid response capacity in shifting news cycles and ability to coordinate messaging during turbulent moments were key to her influence.

• Adaptability: Though she lacked a traditional political background, she adapted quickly to political communications, managing volatile narratives and legal scrutiny.

Influence & Power

While not always publicly visible, Hicks’ proximity to power translated into behind-the-scenes influence. She participated in shaping messaging, filtering information, and advising leaders on media strategy. Her role exemplifies how strategic communicators can wield power indirectly. Some accounts describe her as one of Trump’s most trusted aides, managing media and reputational issues with deftness.

Her influence also extended beyond formal roles: her testimony and involvement in legal proceedings has made her a figure of interest in political accountability and ethics discussions in the modern era.

Famous Quotes by Hope Hicks

Here are several notable quotes attributed to Hope Hicks that reflect her views on work, loyalty, and her role in politics:

• “There is no substitute for hard work. Never give up. Never stop believing. Never stop fighting.”

• “If you work hard and you work for somebody who empowers you and challenges you, you’ll be successful.”

• “I try to be in the office as much as possible to get the full experience working with volunteers, making phone calls, putting out signs — things that the communications director probably normally wouldn’t do.”

• “We get so many requests like, ‘We want behind-the-scenes access,’ or ‘We’re going to show people what it’s really like to be on the campaign with Donald Trump.’ But there is just no way that a camera or an episode or a documentary could capture what has gone on.”

• “President Trump has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him.”

These quotes give insight into her philosophy around communication, transparency, and her own understanding of her role.

Lessons & Takeaways from Her Journey

1. Trust can be a form of power
   Hicks’s ability to earn trust from high-level figures translated into access and influence beyond formal titles.

2. Communication ethics matter
   The tension between message control, truthfulness, and loyalty is central in public roles. Hicks’s career underscores how strategic communicators walk that line.

3. Less visibility, more leverage
   She often worked behind scenes, not always in the headlines—but her decisions and filters shaped narratives at the national scale.

4. Adaptability is essential in volatile politics
   Coming from a nonpolitical background, Hicks adapted to evolving controversies, legal exposure, and shifting alliances.

5. Resilience under scrutiny
   Political communication roles invite relentless public and legal scrutiny. Maintaining composure during investigations and questioning is a skill.

6. Career cycles in public service are not linear
   Hicks’s shifts between government, media, legal arenas, and corporate roles demonstrate that public service careers can be multifaceted and nontraditional.

Legacy & Influence

Hope Hicks’s legacy is still emerging, but several contributions and implications stand out:

• She represents a newer model of political communication: someone rising quickly through trust and messaging rather than traditional political pedigree.

• Her role and eventual public scrutiny highlight critical debates about media, truth, accountability, and the responsibilities of advisers in governance.

• She will likely be studied in future analyses of how communications strategy intersects with journalism, power, and political integrity.

• Her transition to roles beyond government (media, COO positions) suggests the porous boundaries between public service, communications, and private sector influence in the 21st century.

Though her path has been contentious, Hicks exemplifies the power of messaging and the influence of those who operate at the boundary between public visibility and behind-the-scenes control.

Conclusion

Hope Hicks offers a fascinating example of ascent through proximity, communication skill, and strategic acumen. From Greenwich, Connecticut to the corridors of the White House, her journey reflects the evolving demands and risks of modern political communications. Her story invites reflection on what it means to speak for leaders, how truth and loyalty can clash, and how invisible hands can shape national narratives.

For those studying political influence, media strategy, or the ethics of public messaging, Hope Hicks’s life is a potent illustration of influence behind the microphone. Explore more of her quotes, interviews, and decisions—and observe how the power of communication continues to define governance in the modern age.