Melania Trump has announced her first major appointment in preparation for her return as first lady, selecting a longtime Trump loyalist as her chief of staff.

Hayley Harrison, who previously served in the East Wing during Donald Trump’s first term and joined the Trumps in Florida after they left the White House, has been named to the role, DailyMail.com reported on Friday.
Both Hayley and her husband, William “Beau” Harrison, were White House staffers during the Trump administration and accompanied the former president and first lady to Mar-a-Lago for their post-presidency life. The Harrisons were notably aboard Marine One with the Trumps as they departed the White House on January 20, 2021.

The couple has remained closely tied to the Trumps’ inner circle and continues to be on the payroll. According to Federal Election Commission reports, both Hayley and William were paid by Trump’s Save America PAC for their work with the former president. Hayley earned a monthly salary of $8,000 to $10,000, while William received a similar amount until November 2023, when he received his final payment from the PAC, DailyMail.com noted.

In the announcement of Harrison’s appointment, her longstanding loyalty was emphasized. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has maintained a similar pattern of staffing his team with loyalists ahead of his second term.

“Hayley Harrison has been appointed as First Lady Melania Trump’s Chief of Staff,” Melania’s office posted to the X platform.