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Politics

Top Biden aide Anita Dunn first to jump ship from White House after Dems’ presidential candidate swap

By
Steven Nelson
Published July 30, 2024, 4:48 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — President Biden’s senior adviser for communications Anita Dunn is leaving the White House for a Kamala Harris super PAC, marking the first high-level departure since Biden abandoned his bid for a second term over concern about his mental acuity.

Dunn, a longtime leading Democratic strategist, found herself blamed by Biden’s family for her role preparing the president for his disastrous June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump, which unleashed the party mutiny that forced Biden, 81, to step aside and endorse Harris.

After her announcement Tuesday, Biden lauded Dunn — who will now serve as an adviser to Forward Future, a well-funded group backing Harris’ candidacy in the Nov. 5 election.

“Four years ago, when I launched my campaign for the battle for the soul of our nation, I was grateful Anita Dunn was right there with me,” Biden said.

“She’s not only a key senior member of our team that helped us win a historic election in 2020 — she’s also been an invaluable part of our White House.”

Anita Dunn, a West Wing senior adviser for communications and former Barack Obama campaign strategist, is a longtime Biden aide.
Anita Dunn, a West Wing senior adviser for communications and former Barack Obama campaign strategist, is a longtime Biden aide. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post

Dunn last year orchestrated a failed coup against press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre out of concern that she would be a poor election-year spokesperson for the president.

The veteran operator, 66, enlisted outside allies to try to persuade Jean-Pierre to leave on her own to avoid the ugly optics of forcing her out against her will, sources told The Post in April.

Dunn circulated her plans shortly before an unsolicited job offer to lead EMILY’s List was made to the first non-white and first LGBT press secretary, who declined to take it and remains press secretary.

Senior Advisor to the President for Communications Anita Dunn walks across the South Lawn after returning to the White House.
Dunn is the first high-level Biden White House official to depart following his July 21 decision not to seek re-election. Getty Images

Dunn is married to Biden’s personal lawyer Bob Bauer, who helped Biden avoid criminal charges in special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation of the mishandling of classified documents from his vice presidency and Senate years.

Hur concluded his investigation with a February report saying Biden should not face charges in part because jurors would see a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

The couple's portfolio includes several companies regulated by or working with the federal government.
Dunn is married to Biden’s personal attorney Bob Bauer, left. The Washington Post via Getty Im

Biden said Dunn is “tough and tested, and her experience and intellect have helped us deliver historic results for the American people.”

“I’ve known Anita throughout my career. She’s served our nation through three Administrations and countless campaigns for candidates at every level,” Biden said.

“I deeply value her counsel and friendship and I will continue to rely on her partnership and insights as we finish the job over the next six months,” he added.

President Joe Biden (4th L) is accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed (3rd L), senior advisors Anita Dunn (5th L) and Mike Donilon (2nd R) as they depart the White House on April 23, 2024.
Dunn was blamed by members of the Biden family for her role preparing him for his disastrous June 27 debate. Getty Images

Dunn previously served as President Barack Obama’s White House Communications Director in 2009.

Between her time in public office, she amassed a fortune, including as managing director of Democrat-affiliated campaign contractor SKDKnickerbocker, which drew concern about potential conflicts of interest.

Dunn and her husband held between $16.8 million to $48.2 million in investments, according to papers released by the US Office of Government Ethics in 2022, including holdings in Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Boeing, Cisco, Comcast, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, Facebook, General Dynamics, General Motors, Google, Halliburton, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Phillip Morris, Tesla and Wells Fargo.