Washington (PTI): Indian-American Raj Shah, a well known aide of Donald Trump, has been appointed to a key position by the US President in his communications team, the White House said.

Shah, 32, was one of the few handful aides of Trump who landed in the White House within hours of the billionaire tycoon’s swearing in as the 45th US President on January 20.

He formerly served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Communications Director. In April, Shah was identified as one of the three West Wing power players in the White House along with Hope Hicks and Eli Miller.

“Raj Shah will serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary,” the White House said in a statement.

Trump also appointed his confidant Hope Hicks as his Communications Director. Hicks previously served as Assistant to the President and Interim Communications Director.

Mercedes Schlapp, a Fox News contributor and columnist for The Washington Times, will serve as Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications.