Steven Cheung

Steven Cheung is an American political adviser who has served as White House communications director since January 2025. He is best known as Donald Trump's combative and media-savvy spokesman, a role he has held across two presidential campaigns and into the second Trump administration. Cheung's aggressive rhetorical style and close alignment with Trump's messaging have made him a central figure in modern political communications. He has been profiled in The New Yorker and Forbes for his strategic acumen and his ability to channel Trump's voice. As of 2026, Cheung remains one of the most visible and influential communications directors in American politics, with a reputation for both ferocity and responsiveness to the press. He is active on X under @StevenCheung47, where he posts about administration achievements and attacks political opponents. Cheung has no official fandom name and has not appeared on magazine covers, though he has been featured in major outlets.[edit]

Steven Cheung grew up in South Sacramento, California. He attended John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento, where he played on the football team, graduating in 2000. Cheung enrolled at California State University, Sacramento, majoring in computer science and political science, but left before earning a degree. While still in college, he landed a communications and speechwriting internship with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He later told Politico the experience was "one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had because I learned the importance of what not to do just as much as what I should do." That internship opened doors: Cheung worked as an administrative assistant on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, then on Steve Poizner's 2010 California gubernatorial bid, Sharron Angle's 2010 Senate race in Nevada, and Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst's 2012 Senate campaign. In 2013, Cheung was named Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a role that sharpened his crisis-communications skills. He stayed at the UFC until July 2016, when he joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign, the moment that would define his career.[edit]

Cheung joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign in July 2016, serving as a rapid-response operative. After Trump's victory, he entered the White House as Assistant Communications Director and later Director of Strategic Response. Former White House aide Cliff Sims credited Cheung with playing a key role in Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court confirmation and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. But in June 2018, White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly fired Cheung as part of a broader staff shakeup. After leaving the administration, Cheung consulted for Trump's 2020 reelection campaign and for Caitlyn Jenner's 2021 California gubernatorial recall bid. In September 2022, he became communications lead for MAGA Inc., Trump's super PAC. He served as Communications Director for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, and on November 15, 2024, Trump announced Cheung as his White House Communications Director. He assumed office on January 20, 2025, succeeding Ben LaBolt. Cheung was also a member of Trump's 2016–2017 transition team. His breakthrough moment was joining the 2016 campaign, elevating him from UFC executive to national political figure.[edit]

Cheung is known for his aggressive, combative media strategy that closely mirrors Trump's own rhetorical style. The New Yorker described him as "a virtuoso at mimicking his boss, voicing all manner of innuendo and humiliating barbs." Physically, he is broad, bespectacled, and bald; Trump reportedly calls him "my sumo wrestler." Despite his fierce public statements, reporters who deal with him find him responsive and professional. Matthew Boyle of Breitbart called him "big, fluffy, and lovable." His old Twitter handle @CaliforniaPanda earned him the nickname "Panda" from colleagues. The New Yorker profiled him as "The Face of Donald Trump's Deceptively Savvy Media Strategy." Cheung once said in a statement to Forbes about President Joe Biden: "He can barely put two coherent sentences together and slowly shuffles around like he has a full diaper in his pants, often falling on his ass in front of the world." He also said of Trump's critics: "Their entire existence will be crushed when President Trump returns to the White House."[edit]

Steven Cheung currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his profile as of August 2026 but found he does not yet occupy a slot on the published lists or any Top-100 scope chart. While his name appears frequently in political discourse and media briefings, this visibility has not translated into a quantifiable rank within the global celebrity hierarchy. He remains an influential figure in Washington rather than a household name with a measurable worldwide fame score. Regarding his audience, there is no documented fandom name associated with Steven Cheung. Unlike entertainers who cultivate dedicated followings with specific titles, Cheung's public interactions stem from his role as White House Communications Director. His social media presence functions as a standard political tool for disseminating messaging rather than a hub for fan rituals or organized campaigns. No fan-funded projects, charity drives, or unique traditions have emerged around his persona. The absence of a formal fanbase reflects his status as a government official and political strategist rather than a pop culture icon. While supporters may rally behind his aggressive rhetoric during press conferences, these are transient political alignments rather than the enduring, named devotion seen in music or film communities. The narrative surrounding him is one of professional controversy and strategic maneuvering, lacking the mythic quality required to spawn a legendary fan culture.[edit]

Born Huyen Cheung, the man known as Steven Cheung played football at John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento before pivoting to politics. He stands between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, a stature that earned him the nickname "my sumo wrestler" from Donald Trump. Both men share a passion for combat sports and WWE, often appearing together at UFC events in Las Vegas alongside President Dana White. As of 2026, Cheung is 44 years old and operates under the Instagram handle @thestevencheung. His Twitter account @CaliforniaPanda is defunct; he now manages @StevenCheung47 with approximately 180,500 followers as of July 2026. No magazine covers or awards have been publicly recorded for him. A notable incident occurred when Cheung reportedly "melted down" during an exchange with journalist Joanna Coles of The Daily Beast. Sources claim he lashed out with a vile slur while discussing Karoline Leavitt's departure from the White House press secretary role. This event followed earlier friction where he criticized actor Richard Gere for defending USAID, labeling the behavior as that of a "schoolyard bigot." These moments cemented his reputation for volatile exchanges rather than creating viral folklore or legendary status among the general public.[edit]

Cheung is the son of Chinese immigrants who arrived in the United States in the 1960s from Hong Kong and Japan. His mother was raised in Japan. He was born Huyen Cheung on June 23, 1982, in South Sacramento, California. He grew up in Sacramento and has not publicly discussed siblings or extended family. As of 2026, Cheung is not married and has no publicly known children, and he has not shared details about his current household or pets.[edit]

Cheung's career is closely tied to Donald Trump, for whom he has worked across three presidential campaigns and two administrations. He interned for Arnold Schwarzenegger, worked on John McCain's 2008 campaign, and consulted for Caitlyn Jenner's 2021 gubernatorial bid. At the UFC, he worked under President Dana White. In the White House, he worked alongside Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and former aide Cliff Sims. He was fired by Chief of Staff John Kelly in 2018. [edit]

Based on all available public records, Steven Cheung has no publicly known romantic relationships, dating history, marriages, divorces, engagements, or children. He has not discussed his personal life in interviews or on social media. As of 2026, Cheung is single.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Steven Cheung's net worth at $1.5 Million. This figure represents an editorial analysis of his financial accumulation over a two-decade career in political communications and consulting. As White House Communications Director since January 2025, the position carries an annual salary ranging from $180,000 to $200,000. Prior to entering the administration, Cheung secured a six-figure income as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the UFC. His wealth also stems from consulting fees gathered during high-profile political efforts, including Donald Trump's 2020 reelection campaign and Caitlyn Jenner's 2021 gubernatorial bid. There are no publicly known business ventures, real estate holdings, or endorsement deals attached to his name. Consequently, his financial standing relies entirely on salary and consulting income accumulated through his service in the second Trump administration and previous campaign roles.[edit]