CNN announced Friday that former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield will join the network as a political commentator.
Bedingfield will be based in the nation’s capitol, where she will provide on-air commentary about national politics. Bedingfield has long worked with President Joe Biden, previously serving as Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director for the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign. Bedingfield previously worked in the White House during the Obama-Biden years, serving as communications director for the then-vice president.
Join us in welcoming Kate Bedingfield to CNN as a Political Commentator. Welcome, @KBeds! https://t.co/wJFuI7Dwn6 pic.twitter.com/Q0z71kLZ2N
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) July 21, 2023
Bedingfield stepped down from the White House in February and was replaced by Ben LaBolt. LaBolt is the first openly gay White House communications director and previously served on three presidential campaigns. He also advised the Biden-Harris team on nominations during the transition. (RELATED: ‘You’re Claiming Transparency’: CNN Host Grills White House Spokesperson For Avoiding Questions)
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki had a similar career transition, leaving her post at the White House in 2022 to join MSNBC. The network said it hired Psaki due to her “extensive experience in government and on the campaign trail and perspective as a White House and Washington insider.”
“She’s a familiar face and trusted authority to MSNBC viewers, and we look forward to her insight during this consequential election season,” MSNBC president Rashida Jones said about Psaki in May 2022.