
The Administration · Out the door
Taylor Budowich
Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Out the door
A former Tea Party organizer who ran the main pro-Trump super PAC, Budowich oversaw White House communications for eight months in 2025 and is the named defendant in the Associated Press's access lawsuit.
Why they left: He left the administration at the end of September 2025; Wikipedia, citing Axios, says he resigned to work in the private sector. 1 3 Now: According to Wikipedia, he founded a lobbying firm, The Sovereign Advisors, and was reported in March 2026 to be leading Innovation Council Action, a group that argues for lighter regulation of artificial intelligence. 3
Biography
Taylor Budowich was born in Sacramento, California, in 1989. 3 He joined the Tea Party Express in 2011 and rose to be its executive director by 2014. 3 He later worked in Florida politics, including on Ron DeSantis's 2018 campaign for governor, and was a spokesman for Trump's 2020 campaign. 3 In 2021 he became communications director of Trump's Save America committee, and in 2022 he was named to run the super PAC MAGA Inc. 3
Trump announced in November 2024 that he would be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. 3 In February 2025 the White House barred Associated Press reporters from press pool events after the news agency declined to adopt the name Gulf of America, and the AP's lawsuit over the ban carries his name. 4 A district judge ordered access restored in April 2025; an appeals panel later let most of the restrictions stand while the case continues. 4
He left the White House at the end of September 2025. CBS News reported that the press secretary and communications director would absorb some of his duties and that his post had not been filled. 1 It was never refilled. 5 The White House release announcing Stephen Miller as chief of staff in November 2026 referred to him as a former deputy chief of staff. 2
In the job
What happened while Taylor held the post.
Took office as deputy chief of staff and cabinet secretary. 3
The White House barred AP reporters from pool events indefinitely. 4
The AP sued Budowich, Karoline Leavitt and Susie Wiles in federal court. 4
Judge Trevor McFadden ruled the restrictions must be lifted while the suit proceeds. 4
An appeals panel, voting 2-1, put most of that ruling on hold. 4
CBS News reported he had left the administration that week. 1
Disputes, and their side
What critics, courts or investigators have said, and the answer given. An allegation is not a finding.
The Associated Press alleged in its lawsuit that Budowich and other officials violated the First and Fifth Amendments by excluding its reporters over a style decision. The case was still before the appeals court in the latest record read. 4
Their side: The administration appealed the district court's order and has argued it may choose who is admitted to limited spaces such as the Oval Office. 4
The House January 6 committee subpoenaed him over the promotion of the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol. He testified and produced documents in early 2022, and a federal judge rejected his attempt to block the committee from obtaining his bank records, according to Wikipedia. 3
Their side: He complied with the subpoena while challenging the bank-records request in court. 3
Career
- Tea Party Express: staff member, spokesperson, communications director, then executive director
- Watchdog PAC and the DeSantis campaign for governor of Florida
- Spokesperson, Trump 2020 campaign
- Communications director, Save America
- Executive director, MAGA Inc.
- Senior aide, Trump 2024 campaign
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel; Cabinet Secretary
- Private sector: The Sovereign Advisors; Innovation Council Action
Our reporting
We have not yet published a story that names Taylor Budowich. When we do, it will appear here.
Sources for this file
- CBS News, Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt retakes prime West Wing office space, Oct. 1, 2025
- The White House, President Trump Names Stephen Miller as 33rd White House Chief of Staff, Nov. 6, 2026
- Wikipedia, Taylor Budowich, Nov. 13, 2026
- Wikipedia, Associated Press v. Budowich, Nov. 13, 2026
- Wikipedia, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Nov. 13, 2026
File checked Nov. 13, 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell the desk.