Reggie Love, left, Barack Obama's body man from 2009 to 2011, is seen here in a presidential motorcade outside Strasbourg for the 2009 NATO summit
President Biden's personal aide Jacob Spreyer prepares the podium for a presidential speech.

A personal assistant who accompanies the president of the United States virtually everywhere is generally referred to as a body man or body woman, but in some cases may be referred to as a personal aide. These personal aides to the president are often responsible for arranging and providing: lodging; transportation; interactions with media, public, and family; meals; personal briefings and briefing papers; logistical instructions; speech cards; snacks; cell phones; and any other necessary assistance. Such personal aides exist for many politicians aside from presidents, but the most famous have included personal aides to the president, as described below.

History

Upon taking office in 1969, Richard Nixon expanded and professionalized the White House Office staff. A new position was created: personal aide to the president. Previously this role had largely been filled by a White House valet. This role remained, but unlike the valet, the personal aide to the president travels wherever the president goes whereas the valet always remains stationed at the White House.

List

President Richard Nixon

  • Stephen Bull

President Gerald Ford

  • Terrence O’Donnell
  • Gregory Willard

President Jimmy Carter

  • Timothy Kraft
  • Phil Wise

President Ronald Reagan

  • David Fischer
  • Jim Kuhn

President George H. W. Bush

  • Timothy McBride
  • Michal Dannenhauer
  • David Bates
  • Tom Frechette

President Bill Clinton

President George W. Bush

President Barack Obama

President Donald Trump (First administration)

President Joe Biden

  • Stephen Goepfert (2021–2022)
  • Jacob Spreyer (2022–2025)

President Donald Trump (Second administration)

  • Christopher Ambrosini (2025–present)

In popular culture

This role has been portrayed in fiction:

See also