Philippe Reines

Philippe Reines, born on November 25, 1969, in New York City, has established a significant career in American political consulting and strategic communications. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the Columbia University School of General Studies. His early career included involvement in the Al Gore 2000 presidential campaign, where he honed his skills in rapid response. Following this, he served as Gore’s teaching assistant and de facto spokesperson at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2001. Reines also contributed to Gore’s appearance on Saturday Night Live in December 2002, demonstrating his early engagement in media and political messaging. He briefly held the role of Deputy Communications Director for the New York City Council and Communications Director for U.S. Representative Jane Harman before joining Hillary Rodham Clinton’s press team.

Reines began working for Hillary Rodham Clinton in July 2002 as her press secretary during her tenure as a New York senator. Over several years, he became a trusted advisor, particularly on Iraq issues. In 2003, he played a crucial role in managing the media campaign and book tour for Senator Clinton’s memoir, “Living History.” His responsibilities included serving as a primary spokesperson, coordinating interviews, and handling media appearances. During the 2008 United States presidential election, Reines continued as press secretary and senior advisor to Hillary Clinton, also serving as a spokesperson for Chelsea Clinton and traveling with her throughout the primaries.

Upon Hillary Clinton’s appointment as United States Secretary of State in January 2009, Reines joined the Department of State as her senior advisor. He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic Communications in 2010, a role he held until 2017. During this period, he was noted for his combative style and his dedication to Clinton’s public image, earning a reputation as a “fixer.” After his government service, Reines co-founded Beacon Global Strategies in 2013, a consulting firm, with partners Jeremy Bash and Andrew J. Shapiro. He frequently appears as a political commentator and is known for his skill in preparing candidates for debates, notably role-playing Donald Trump in mock debates for both Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024.