US President Donald Trump has appointed Kush Desai, an Indian-American former journalist, as the new deputy press secretary. Desai brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the deputy communications director for the 2024 Republican National Convention and communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa. Additionally, he played a key role as the Deputy Battleground States and Pennsylvania Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, where he shaped messaging for crucial swing states like Pennsylvania. Let’s take a closer look at his educational background and career trajectory.
Kush Desai education qualification and career trajectory
Kush Desai graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution, where he studied from 2013 to 2017, according to his LinkedIn profile. During his time at Dartmouth, he earned the prestigious James O. Freedman Presidential Research Scholarship, as reported by the media.
Desai’s professional journey began as a reporter for The Daily Caller, where he worked from July 2017 to March 2018. In April 2018, he joined the Republican National Committee as a research analyst, a role he held until February 2019. His rise continued within the RNC, where he became the Director of Vetting in March 2019. By 2021, he was appointed as the Iowa Communications Director, and in December 2022, he became the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, serving until January 2024, as per his LinkedIn profile.
For the next six months, Desai was the Deputy Communications Director at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and in July 2024, he took on the role of Deputy Battleground States and Pennsylvania Communications Director, a position he currently holds, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Now, Desai will serve under Taylor Budowich, the deputy White House chief of staff and cabinet secretary, who oversees the White House Office of Communications.
Desai’s career has been marked by a series of strategic roles, and his appointment to deputy press secretary is a significant step in his continued rise in political communications.