“Many social conservatives want to encourage married couples to have children, and it is becoming increasingly difficult if the couple feels strapped and concerned with being penalized by their employer for having children.”

American communications specialist and political commentator

Mercedes Schlapp is an American communications specialist and political commentator known for her work in English and Spanish-language media. She has also served in Republican presidential administrations, including as director of specialty media under George W. Bush and as White House Director of Strategic Communications under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. After leaving the White House, Schlapp joined the Trump 2020 re-election campaign as a senior advisor for strategic communications. Her public profile is tied to political messaging, media strategy, and commentary across two languages.