A vocal proponent of the president has just been named to a top public relations job in the Trump Administration.East Aurora resident Michael Caputo performed his first day as assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services. He was sworn in on Tuesday.
Caputo did not want to be interviewed on tape, but confirmed his new post, which was announced on Twitter by HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
I’m delighted to have Michael Caputo join our team at @HHSGov as our Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, especially at this critical time in our nation’s public health history. pic.twitter.com/xf2YFeXzqy
— Alex Azar (@SecAzar) April 15, 2020
Caputo told WBFO the president personally called him three weeks ago and asked him to take the position. He has a long history of high-level involvement in Washington politics, working for several presidents, worked for Trump in the president's successful 2016 presidential race and was extensively interviewed during the House probe of Russian involvement in the presidential campaign. Caputo has also worked in Russia, advising then-President Boris Yeltsin.
Ten years ago, he was campaign manager for developer Carl Paladino's run for New York governor against Andrew Cuomo. The Southtowns native is also the author of The Ukraine Hoax, a book alleging a conspiracy behind the president's impeachment.
