Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus joins Fox News Media as a political analyst
Fox News adds a Republican strategist and former Trump aide to its on-air political team
Reince Priebus, the former White House chief of staff and former chairman of the Republican National Committee, has joined Fox News Media as a political analyst. The company announced the hire on January 20, 2026, saying Priebus will appear across its platforms and begin his role with a debut appearance on the Fox News Channel program “Hannity.”
The move places Priebus—long associated with Republican Party leadership and national GOP campaigns—into a prominent cable-news contributor role as the network continues to expand its roster of political analysts with prior government and campaign experience.
From Wisconsin GOP leadership to the West Wing
Priebus has a political résumé rooted in Wisconsin and the national Republican Party. He previously led the Republican Party of Wisconsin, later moving to national leadership as chairman of the Republican National Committee, a post he held from 2011 through early 2017. Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Priebus served as White House chief of staff in 2017 before leaving the role later that year.
His tenure as chief of staff was among the shortest in the modern era for a non-interim appointee, reflecting the early volatility of staffing and decision-making inside the Trump White House.
Current professional roles and affiliations
At the time Fox News announced his hiring, Priebus held several positions outside media. He serves as president of the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, chairs Michael Best Strategies, and is a senior adviser to Centerview Partners. Fox News also identified him as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the LA28 Olympic board.
Priebus has also held roles connected to Trump-era governance structures, including positions on the president’s Intelligence Advisory and Oversight boards. In Republican Party politics, he most recently served as chairman of the 2024 Republican National Convention host committee.
What the role typically entails
Fox News described Priebus as a political analyst who will appear across its platforms. Such roles generally involve on-air commentary on elections, policy debates, and Washington decision-making, often drawing on personal experience inside party organizations, campaigns, and government. The format typically includes panel discussions, interviews, and rapid response to breaking political developments.
- Position: political analyst for Fox News Media
- Announcement date: January 20, 2026
- First scheduled appearance: “Hannity” on Fox News Channel
Fox News said Priebus will appear across the company’s platforms as part of his analyst role.
Priebus’ arrival comes as cable news networks continue to compete for political access and institutional memory, particularly from figures who have operated at the intersection of party leadership and presidential administrations.