A son of a soldier, former Division I college athlete and storied journalist will now lead the prestigious White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) as president. Eugene Daniels, co-author of the daily Politico Playbook, will embark on a new and exciting journey at the helm of the White House Press Corps later this month.
“A younger version of myself could never have imagined one day working alongside such talented journalists, let alone serving in this important role for all of you,” Daniels wrote in a letter to WHCA members. “The importance of a free press, access to our elected leaders, and essential fact-based reporting about the politicians, policy, and people of our country has never been more important. Defending these causes is no longer enough, we must advocate for and advance them.”
The 35-year-old storyteller’s diverse experiences have prepared him for this next chapter.
Daniels’ father was a lieutenant colonel in the Army who was deployed to Iraq numerous times. While his dad was gone, Daniels’ discipline grew propelling him into sports as a defensive lineman at Colorado State University where he advocated for others as vice chair of the Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Composure amid chaos is second nature to him. A character trait often recognized and admired by his colleagues on the White House Press beat.
“As someone who knows Eugene personally, I can attest to his unique ability to work skillfully and collaboratively — all while boldly doing so in his own unique style. When I first joined the, at times, grueling and intimidating White House beat, it was Eugene whose presence put my angst at ease,” Gerren Gaynor, managing editor of Politics at The Grio recalled. “He not only offered his counsel and friendship, but he also gave me a sense of solace in knowing that there was space for young, Black queer voices in the press briefing room and press pool.”
At this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Daniels wore a cape, signifying the hero he is to many.
“For years, Black and brown people, marginalized people, have been told — especially in journalism — that their experience, who they are, what they look like, who they love, is a bias. We have to be careful when we cover this thing, because you’re Black and so you’re too close to it. And that is not at all how it is at Politico. It is instead treated as an expertise,” Daniels told Forbes earlier this year.
In 2016, while covering his first presidential election for Newsy, Daniels revealed a personal piece of himself in regards to his sexuality by coming out to the broader community. Daniels says his perspective on a lot of issues was appreciated and valued by his news organizations.
“As a Black person working in an industry that is mostly white, it is huge to be able to go to your bosses and say to them, ‘hey, I think we should be doing this, and I’m saying that based on my experience as a Black person, as a gay person in this country’ and they say ‘hell yeah, let’s do it,’” Daniels continued. “There’s nothing better than that validation, because not everybody gets that in this industry.”
The Road to WHCA President, April Ryan Weighs in on Historic Leadership
Daniels has spent the past two years training, researching and studying how to take on this highly acclaimed role. He’s covered every presidential election dating back to 2016 and currently serves as senior correspondent for MSNBC’s Morning Joe in addition to regular appearances on NBC’s Meet the Press.
A change of events in 2022 swung the course of Daniel’s tenure as treasurer of the association unexpectedly. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins was originally elected president of the board but was unable to serve due to a promotion causing her to relocate to New York. Daniels was next in line according to the association’s bylaws.
“I understand this is not the position for which you voted for me to serve. But please know I will spend every second on this board earning your support, and most importantly your trust in the weeks, months and years to come,” Daniels wrote courageously accepting the new position.
In a public release, the WHCA issued a statement of support writing, “we are truly grateful he is willing to accept the call to service.”
One of his fiercest and most vocal supporters can be found in veteran White House correspondent April Ryan. She began covering the White House in 1997, just six years after the WHCA instated their first Black president, Robert Ellison, and has also served on the board.
“Ellison has been the only Black president in the history of the association until Eugene. It took about 30 years to see something this powerful happen again,” Ryan told The Informer. “He [Daniels] is very well respected. We’ve had talks about this new position, he knows I’ve got his back and I’m going be there for him. I understand when you get to high places like that, you’re not always welcome when it’s white- and male-dominated.”
Daniels is constantly aware of the nuances many reporters are forced to navigate in an era that’s sensitive to race and identity.
“It is always said that the president of the board is the voice of the association but I truly believe they also serve as the ears as well,” Daniels wrote to members. “I promise to all of you, to listen to your concerns, advice and feedback as we go on this journey together. No president does it alone….I believe there are solutions to every problem that could arise somewhere within our membership.”
Daniels’ leadership continues to challenge the association’s 110-year history.
“When I served on the board, it was like fighting an uphill battle. I help put more diversity in the student scholarships, bring in organizations of color to help judge for awards and I was proud of that,” said Ryan. “Daniels is Black, male and queer. Everything about him fodders in politics, especially when you dont look like their founding fathers. I know what I went through on the board as a journalist, and I will stand with him and fight with him.”
Upon the conclusion of his term, Weijia Jiang will also trailblaze a new legacy as the first Chinese-American woman to serve as president of the organization. Both Daniels and Jiang did not respond to the Informer’s requests for comment. Their positions have proven to be significant sign of progress and hope for many.
“I have looked up to Eugene Daniels for a long time, and I am thrilled he will be leading the WHCA as the organization’s first Black queer president,” White House Correspondent Christopher Kane told The Informer. “Representation is so important, and I expect his leadership will be a boon to the work in which I and so many of my colleagues are engaged, particularly as issues of gender identity and expression, sexuality and race are so ascendant in national politics.”