### Steven Cheung Appointed as Communications Director in Trump's Incoming Administration

In a significant appointment, President-elect Donald Trump has named Steven Cheung as the White House communications director for his upcoming second term. Cheung, who has been a longstanding press aide and a fierce advocate for Trump, will assume the role immediately upon Trump's inauguration on January 20. Notably, the position does not require Senate confirmation.

Cheung has earned a reputation for echoing Trump's combative rhetoric and for strongly criticizing the president-elect's political adversaries. His loyalty to Trump is well-documented; a campaign reporter told The New Yorker in March that Cheung would "do whatever Trump says," even if it means crossing conventional ethical lines.

The role of the White House press secretary, the primary public spokesperson for the administration, remains unfilled at this time. Meanwhile, Cheung joins a roster of Trump loyalists being elevated to significant roles within the administration. Campaign manager Susie Wiles has been named Chief of Staff, and other key appointments include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, and former Representative Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.

Cheung's connections extend to the world of mixed martial arts, sharing ties with UFC, an organization Trump ardently supports. UFC President Dana White, a staunch Trump ally, voiced his support soon after Trump's election victory. Additionally, podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan endorsed Trump shortly after Trump's appearance on Rogan's podcast in the late stage of the election campaign.

In Trump's first term, the role of communications director saw a high turnover, with several individuals, including four press secretaries such as Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany. This pattern has continued into the run-up to his second term, with Trump's camp persistently criticizing mainstream media. Some Trump affiliates, such as former aide Kash Patel—a potential FBI director pick—have suggested that the administration might pursue retributive actions against critics in the media and government.