Biden’s ‘body man’ to leave the White House
Stephen Goepfert (left) watches as President Biden greets attendees at a launch event for the President’s Build Back Better initiative in October of 2021 (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).
Stephen Goepfert, President Biden’s personal aide, intends to leave the White House for a position with the Department of Transportation. Goepfert is one of Biden’s closest allies, remaining at his side for the biggest events over the last three years including along the campaign trail.
Article by Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter
WASHINGTON - The White House announced that personal aide to the president, Stephen Goepfert, will depart from his position on Friday, August 26th. White House receptionist, Jacob Spreyer, will replace him. Goepfert was well known as Biden’s ‘body man.’
A ‘body man’ is the closest personal aide to the president and often accompanies the President everywhere, organizing transportation, media action, meals, briefings, etc.
“It's a tough and grueling job, and no one has done it with the competence, kindness, and warmth that he has,” said White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
CNN described Goepfert as “The first White House staffer Biden sees most mornings and the last he sees nearly every night.”
Throughout 2020, Goepfert accompanied Biden on the campaign trail both virtually and in-person. “It was Goepfert who was physically there to help set up those Zoom calls, media interviews, tweak speeches and remarks, connect donor calls, put the briefing book together and finalize memos,” said CNN.
Goepfert is known for his dedication to President Biden and the campaign during 2020, going as far as running and tracking down supporters for phone numbers so President Biden could keep in touch.
“How his personal aide treats other people alongside of him is vitally important as an expression of who the president is – and Stephen is just phenomenal at that,” said Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the President.
Goepfert is described as having a “sharp sense of the ins-and-outs of how a White House operates,” said CNN. He started his career in the Obama administration as the deputy director of the Office of Presidential Correspondence. From there, Ricchetti, chief-of-staff to then-Vice President Biden, brought him over to serve as his senior advisor.
“You name it, Stephen did it. I don’t think people can quite grasp the pressures on him,” said Annie Tomasini, White House director of Oval Office Operations. “He understands that the President wants – and that he’s at his best – when he’s with the American people.”
Alongside the first openly LGBTQ+ press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, Goepfert is also the first openly gay personal aide to any President in United States history. “Representation matters and that’s so important to him,” said Jean-Pierre.
With increased presidential media attention as well as the forming of the internet and Google, the need for a ‘body man’ has never been higher.
A body man’s job calls for physical attendance at all times, whether there is an event in London, or the president is poised to make a speech in Washington, DC. When Biden travels to his beloved Delaware homes most weekends, Goepfert is entitled to travel along.
The relationship between each president and their body man was different. President Obama’s body man, Reggie Love, played basketball with the President when he wasn’t handling his other duties like tending to the media and speech writing. President George W. Bush’s body man, Blake Gottesman, helped with his dog.
Past body men have continued on to work other impressive jobs, landing positions with the United States Olympic Committee and the Salvation Army. President George H.W. Bush’s body man, Tim McBride, moved up to become Vice President of United Technologies Corporation, following his service to the former president.
Although the position is rather unfamiliar to the public, popular TV shows have portrayed body men as characters, like Gary Walsh in HBO’s Veep or Charlie Young in NBC’s The West Wing.
“In moments big, small and extraordinary, he’s been a trusted and loyal confidante who everyone counts on and who always delivers. Jill and I will miss Stephen, but we’re proud that he will continue to serve the American people in his new role in the Biden-Harris administration as he continues his career in public service,” said Biden.
Goepfert will now work under Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The Department of Transportation has not released information about his new position or his official start date. He will be replaced by Jacob Spreyer.
Chief White House Correspondent Emily Barkann contributed edits.