As I’m sure you’ll recall, the lowlight of the recent White House Correspondents Association weekend of dinners and revelry centered around an unfortunate spat that transpired at the Paramount party held at the French Ambassador’s residence, in Kalorama. It involved a row at the entrance between Jessica Hoy, a 41-year-old publicist who represented Ashley Biden, among others, and media rainmaker Tammy Haddad. But the worst part may have transpired after the event, when Playbook published a brief piece backhandedly discrediting Hoy. A nameless White House official told the publication that Hoy had never been employed by the first daughter, who is a fashion designer. “She was not hired by Ashley,” the official said. “They don’t have a formal relationship.” 

But, based on my reporting, that’s splitting hairs, and it unfairly diminishes Hoy’s role and work for the first daughter and her own professional bona fides. When I reached out to the same White House official this morning, that person insisted (on background) that, sure, Hoy and Ashley had done work together, but that she has never represented Biden—a distinction that seems rather pedantic. “Ashley described [Hoy] as someone who was trying to coordinate discrete events and projects,” the official told me. 

Indeed, Hoy did coordinate many events for Ashley Biden. Leading up to the weekend, Hoy fielded party requests for her client, including coordinating with the Secret Service, according to emails that I reviewed. Hoy also organized a “care package” for Biden from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that needed to go through the Secret Service to be delivered to her townhouse, according to emails. She wrote her bio for a speech before the Rotary Club. She confirmed her attendance at the Advance Peace Forum, in San Diego. She even made a powerpoint presentation titled, “Brain Aware Neurobiology of the [B]rain” for Biden to submit for fundraising. 

Invoices I obtained also demonstrated that Hoy provided services to the first daughter, such as arranging for her to sit front row at New York Fashion Week in February. Indeed, it’s true that the majority of Hoy’s work for Biden was pro bono, according to a February 9 invoice sent from Hoy to Biden, requesting reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The total reimbursement for the expenses was $1,918.02, which Biden repaid on May 10, 2023.

Politico was probably aware of the relationship between the two: According to an email I obtained, in response to outreach from Hoy, Politico C.E.O. Goli Sheikholeslami responded to ask if Ashley Biden could be the media company’s honored guest at their White House Correspondents’ table. “Jessica had reached out to Politico with a list of her talent coming to Washington for White House Correspondents’ dinner. Politico would have welcomed the opportunity to have the first daughter sit with us at the dinner, so we extended an invitation,” said the company’s communication’s director Melissa Cooke. Hoy ultimately declined that request on behalf of Biden.

First Lady Jill Biden’s senior advisor Anthony Bernal, who stood behind the first lady at the coronation for King Charles last weekend, consulted Hoy on how to deal with Ashley Biden’s press, according to text messages between the two. Bernal, who has been working for the Bidens for two decades, is perhaps the most powerful person in the White House (including Anita Dunn) and part of his purview is looking after the Biden family. He is also one of the most ferocious. I once heard him scream at a White House official through the phone, as I stood nearby. Alex Thompson reported that staffers used to secretly record him because his language was “so noxious.” A person with knowledge of the inner workings of the White House described him as “the Biden’s Doug Stamper from House of Cards.” 

“Anthony is a deeply trusted advisor and well-respected throughout the White House; known for his creativity, intellect, and loyalty,” said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates. “He is a thoughtful and supportive colleague who is generous with his time mentoring staff, encouraging inclusion and collaboration all over the White House.” And since he is all those things, the White House would likely have the wherewithal to know that Jessica Hoy was also Ashley Biden’s publicist.