Desiree Rogers Steps Down
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 5:32 PM 
Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
A surprise announcement out of the White House today -- Desiree Rogers will step down from her role as White House Social Secretary next month. The always reliable Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times has the full story, here.
Following the announcement, the President and First Lady released this statement:
"We are enormously grateful to Desiree Rogers for the terrific job she's done as the White House Social Secretary. When she took this position, we asked Desiree to help make sure that the White House truly is the People's House, and she did that by welcoming scores of everyday Americans through its doors, from wounded warriors to local schoolchildren to NASCAR drivers. She organized hundreds of fun and creative events during her time here, and we will miss her. We thank her again for her service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
This calls for one last look at the greatest fashion statement of Desiree Rogers's White House tenure - the blush chiffon and pearl Comme des Garcons gown worn for the state dinner in November, above.
Comme des Garcons
Reader Comments (106)
What saddens me about this whole thing is that despite a very successful and wonderful first State Dinner, the media only chose to focus on the desperate for fame and pathetically sad joke that is the Salahi's. Also, the Salahi's haven't even suffered any repercussions for their illegal act that night. No, they are gearing up for their reality television debut on "The Real Housewives of DC". So disgusting. This woman has overseen over 330 events at the White house over the course of a year and has done a phenomenal job at that. My only criticism of her was that sometimes I believed she tried to stand out at times when it wasn't quite appropriate. Sometimes due to her sartorial choices and sometimes with the way she would always place herself front and center by sitting at the same table as the first lady and family or discussing "The Obama Brand" in interviews (I just think that statement was a bit much). Other than that, this smart, accomplished and stylish woman has been a great asset to the White House. I'm sure the Obama's will miss her dearly and I wish her the best of luck in the future.
Desiree has contributed to making the Obama's and their transition to the White House a major success in only 12 months. So many events, so many opportunities to see the Obama's inside the White House. I wish her all the very best. She's done a tremendous job but I think that the Salahi incident is like a noose round her neck so it may be best to leave on a high.
THATS GOOD SHE THE ONE WHO INVETED THE CRASHER AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND SHE DIDNT SHOW UP IN CROURT TO SAY THAT SHE WAS NOT INVOLED IN IT BUR SHE WAS SHE REALLY DIDNT THINK THAT SHE WILL STEP DROWN SHE THINKS IT WAS OVER BUT SHE WAS WRONG THEY FOUND OUT SO THEY DIDNT LAY HER OFF SHE FRIED HER THE FRIST LADY AND MR OBAMA JUST SAYING NICES THINGS ABOUT HER AND BEING MISSED BUT EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THEY WAS JUST BEING POLET TO HER. AND I WISH HER LUCK TO FOUND A JOB SOMEPLACE ELSE LIKE MAYBE CHICAGO THATS WEAR SHE WAS BRON MAYBE FOR AWAY FROM THE FRIST LADY AND HER FAMILY. SHMT THIS HAVE TO HAPPEND TO HER BY THE WAY HER DRESS WAS VERY VERY UGLY I DIDNT LIKE IT AT ALL.
Well said, Ari and sums up my feelings about her and her leaving. I think overall, she was extremely successful and will be remembered for being a unique social secretary, more than anything negative from the few mistakes she made.
Oh wow, after hearing about her resignation I was so hurt, I really wanted to get a chance to work with her, she seems like she could have taught be a lot about networking. Which is something I seriously need to work on, with all these rumors flying around we don’t know what to believe. I hope no long time friendships were ruined or anything like that good friends are hard to come by. Well I wish her all the luck and blessings in the world on her future endeavors and who knows maybe I will get a chance to work with her one day. SHE WILL BE MISSED!
Wow! I'm so sad to see her go, I thought she brought so much to her position and had really interesting ideas. Its unfortunate that some fan seekers most likely played a part in her stepping down
I have to say I'm glad to see Ms. Rogers go. She screwed up royally at that State Dinner. She should have had staff at the Secret Service checkpoints to review/compare the guest list, as all her predecessors have. It wasn't entirely her fault (obviously), but she allowed a very dark cloud to follow her bosses and was an integral part of making sure many will only remember that Dinner as the epic debacle that was the Salahi's, when everything else about the night was wonderful. It's a very hard thing to have a friend work for you. I know from experience. Lines get blurred. Emotions get involved. When either of you has a failing, it becomes a reflection on the other, usually unfairly. Personally I would like to thank Desiree, because she did a terrific job. Like a lot of things in life, sometimes one moment/event defines an otherwise successful tenure - and no one will let you forget.
This is terrible news! She brought much style and class to the WH!
Pleeeeeease Desiree, don't go! You did a great job, and you're such a smart, sophisticated (and did I mention beautiful?) and fashionably woman/lady. And you're my homegirl! Who Dat!
She's smart as a whip. She'll be just fine. She dresses great, too. I happened to love this dress on her even though it got mixed reviews. I like that she has very short hair, is 54 yet still looks sexy. Talk about confidence! Sad day in the White House, I'm sure.
I'm saddest for Mrs. Obama who is losing a good friend and confidante in the White House. The good news is that I know they will remain friends long after the Obama's leave the White House in 2016.
The Daley machine (Valerie Jarrett, Susan Sher, Michelle Obama) strikes again. Contrary to what you're hearing, this defenestration is the consequence of a power struggle in recent weeks in the East Wing (FLOTUS Office). Rogers had been persona non grata since the State Dinner and, if she had an ounce of class, she would have offered to resign after the debacle in which, for the first time in history, a State Dinner had its security breached because the Social Secretary had invited herself to the party.
Let's be clear: Rogers is one of the incompetent, elitist buffoons who are destroying Obama's Presidency. If she hadn't resigned, the Republicans would have reissued the subpeona they sent to her last December( which the Dems squashed) as soon as they take over one or both houses of Congress this November. She could not have stayed in her position.
Rogers was appalling, with her "Obama brand" and her media strategies (exclusives to the NY Times for the dog and the Wapo for the vegetable garden, possibly the other way around). It was like the odious publicity director for a sleazy nite club. Ugh. Sickening.
It's pretty obvious this was in the works for a while, as they have the new SS already -- Julianna Smoot, a fundraiser and staffer for various politicos. She is a socialite, Smith grad & was co-chair of the Inaugural Committee, so she knows how to run events. It appears she may actually know what the job is. Hint: It isn't prancing around in Alexander McQueen while people walk into the event off the street. Mmmkay?
Michelle, please...it's so hard to understand anything you are typing. If you can't turn off your CAPS LOCK for some reason, could you use some punctuation? (But turning off your CAPS LOCK would be a great start. You see how no one else is using it?)
I *think* you're saying that Desiree "didn't show up in court" for something. She was never asked to show up in court for anything. Maybe you're talking about that request from Congress that she speak to a committee about the state dinner fiasco? She wasn't required to be there. If her bosses (the White House) wanted to make her available, I'm sure she would have been. I'm not sure where you're getting that the First Family is just being "polite" to her -- do you have some inside knowledge that we do not? And she was born in New Orleans, not Chicago. Her family has very deep roots in Louisiana.
Ultimately, I don't think Rogers was a good match for that kind of job. This happens sometimes. I think all presidents have brought people to the White House who were *perfect* in a certain environment (Texas, Arkansas, etc) but when they get to Washington, things just don't go well. It's such a different environment. I'm not surprised at all that after the state dinner difficulties, she decided that she just wanted to be somewhere else where she could run the show. She was extremely successful in her previous life, and it has to be infuriating to have people saying all kinds of things about you but to be unable to respond at all. People can make up all kinds of lies or stupid statements and you just have to take it.
I think she'll be happier back in Chicago. But as a fashion-interested person, I will miss her brand of glamour!
Christina, thank you for saying what needed to be said.
Christina, thank you for saying something about Michelle's caps lock and her lack of punctuation. However, what I find hardest to understand is her complete lack of spelling skills (It is like trying to read a foreign language you are not familiar with) and her way of playing fast and loose with the truth,
Very Well said Ms. Christina, and what I upsets me the most is that out of everything that Ms. Rogers has done with making the White House more people friendly she will always be remembered for the State Dinner which is unfair.
Michelle (A side note I do not know you so I will try to say this as sweetly as possible. It is best to check facts before posting or writing about any topic, so please the next time you speak about any topic do your research first.)
I'm very sad to see her go. Ms. Rogers, along with other WH staffers, blazed a new trail. She will always be the first African-American Social Secretary. I hope her replacement has as much style and grace as Ms. Rogers. Very sad indeed.
I doubt very much that Desiree Rogers did anything on her own that wasn't approved or accepted by the Obamas. Most don't seem to know that the social secretary is appointed by and works for the office of the president (although the social secretary works with the first lady on social planning). I imagine it was Mrs. Obama who seated Desiree Rogers nearby - she would be able to provide cues on the guests and other useful support to the first lady
Ms. Rogers flaw may have been that her experience was limited to corporate business. That is not necessarily a training ground for protocol and social customs at the high level that is our White House.
For those who are not keen on Desiree Rogers - and I've noticed a few here - have a look at this fashion writer's comments:
http://emperorsoldclothes.blogspot.com/2010/02/desiree-rogers-says-so-long.html
OMG!
The Obama's first year in the White House was notable for many great accomplishments, and upon hearing about the Salahi's crashing the State Dinner, most people reacted with a gasp. Any good deeds done by Desiree Rogers were forgotten. She was generally condemned by the public because she had allowed uninvited guests(terrorists) to not only enter the White House, but meet the president. Thus, showing to some her inability to perform and exposing the weakness of the Secret Service.
Falling short of what is expected of the White House Social Secretary does not easily go unforgiven, and my guess is that Desiree's head was the one delivered on the platter. Who's decision it was for her to leave I think we will never truly know, and though unfortunate and quite saddening, it seemed inevitable. Let's face it, she will forever carry this awful memory with her - regardless of how great a friend she is to the Obamas.
She was indeed a great asset and great friend to the President & First Lady and I know they will surely miss her. Looking forward to see who will fill her shoes or are they stilettos?
Cheers!
The photograph is the iconic symbol of her failure: she is walking through the "guest line" and she should have been in the backgorund.
So sad that Desiree is leaving. She bolstered the Obama's flair and elan incredibly. This is the first White house since the Kennedy's that really knew how to entertain. She brought a level of style and insight to the job that was bar none. I'm sure she'll land on her feet and the O's will continue to impress but it's too bad she was thrown under the bus for something that she didn't really control. And I LOVE this dress!
Erin & Rocky said it all...it was past time for Desiree to go. She didn't just make a small mistake; It was a HUGE error! Desiree was so determined to attend the State Dinner as a guest she forgot her job was to be on duty to WORK.
Also, she placed herself in the crosshairs because of her insatiable appetite for being in the spotlight. At times it seemed as though she was trying to garner as much attention as Mrs. O.
Her leaving the White House doesn't necessarily mean an end to the friendship she & Mrs. O have shared for many years.
I just hope the next Social Secretary doesn't mind blending into the background a little more than Ms. Rogers
You can still see Desiree here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LMA7oKuYDc
So many ppl on this site used to trash Desiree Rogers as being an attention hog among other things. I hope they are happy now. I was indifferent to her and feel the same way now. In spite of all the PR and media friendly language used to spin this resignation, you can tell there's a lot going on behind it all.
As far as her outfit here, me no likey. This dress should have been left on the runway or red carpet. Looks kinda ridiculous here. Her other outfits that I recall have been fine though.
@MICHELLE, “Mystery Woman” – I have been noticing your posts for mths and said to myself –Hmmmmmmmmmmm?? Something just doesn’t add up here.
Strange & coincidental 2 comments, side by side spelling “buityful” the same way. I may be wrong, if I am – Please accept my apology. Here’s what the comment read –
1.“I SAW THE WHOLE THING HER DRESS IS BUITYFUL JUST LIKE HER. OH HER HUSBAND DOESNT LOOK BAD HIM SELF.”
2. In lower case letters “and her last gown she wear last year when they had the ball was also buityful.” These two comments a few minutes apart.????
3rd Comment, all under the same picture posted, now this is the one that got my
Attention -“SHE TOLD ME I WAS RIGHT NEXT TO HER AND THE PRESIDENT I HAD A BALL OF COUSE.” Then you go unto to say that you “cant weit til April 5” when you will be at the white house again. This does not add up.
@Christina, very well said.
WOW, Everyone is so ready to blame her for the Salahis but I think it was the SS's fault. I recently read whole bunch of errors the SS are involved in.
Anywayz, I agree with @Ari...well said!
Re: Michelle;
Many posters have repeatedly asked Michelle to lose the cap key, check her spelling, etc. Early in the inception of this blog, someone explained that Michelle's use of caps was because of some type of vision impairment. I don't know if this is fact or not, or if her personal references to the Obamas are real or imagined, but to me, she's far less innocuous than some of the other, sometimes hateful, comments that show up on this blog from time to time.
Since her pattern has remained constant, despite the repeated requests, it's not likely that she will respond. We can't control her behavior, but we can control ours. Exercise your freedom of choice....just skip over her posts. No one says we have to read every one of them.
I think she should have just stayed a friend and not worked at the White House. I loved that dress, tho.
Re : Michelle postings
At first I was very annoyed at the caps and not to mention the spellings. However, after a closer look at the posting I am beginning to ask whether or not this person is authentic. It is very strange that she has to the name Michelle , constanly using caps and her comments are inappropriate. Maybe , it is someone seeking attention and denying us who are real fans of this site the opportunity of enjoying it.
I was a bit saddened to hear that Desiree Rogers was quitting her job as Social Secretary. I do feel that she is immensely talented, yet the State Dinner debacle was something that turned people's attention toward her (rightfully or not) that made it impossible for her to be effective going forward. I'm not minimizing the seriousness of the security breach by no means nor do I share the visceral reaction that some experience at the very mention of her name, but to read too much into all the behind the scenes administrative details is like reading tea leaves. It truly was regretable that the focus of The State Dinner turned out to be The Salahi's quest for fame, yet it exposed the gaping holes in the lack of protection of our First Family. So, to the end that situation was rectified (hopefully) and no one was hurt, we are all so very blessed.
I wish her well and admire her for the way she seemed to transform a job that most people previously had not seemed to pay much attention to...maybe that's the way some feel it should always have been. I like that she blazed her own trail and she has a body of good work that she's leaving behind. I don't find her classless at all, on the contrary, I think she's shown class, grace and a style that is uniquely her own.
Perhaps this is the reason behind such delayed photographs of Mrs.O at the Governor's Ball - less media coverage and tighter security.
@lorns & christina you guys are the best! Right on the money. Things that make you go hummmm....
Have a great weekend ladies!
@Asereht, Let me set the record straight. I am "not" and do not criticize people's gramatical
errors or otherwise. I love people from every background and language and work with
people from almost every country in the world. The same way others have the right to their
opinion, I can voice mine too, and can be skipped over the same way. And your'e so right,
no one says we have to read all of them. Ok dear.
@Rocky - and you too have yourself a great weekend.
@loms
Clearly I did not make my comments clear and they have been misunderstood. I accept full responsibility for that. Let me try this again. My intent was not to criticize your post, only to offer up some general history on this particular subject that has existed for quite a while. Personally, I was, and still am, just as weary as many readers have been on this particular poster until another blogger offered up an explanation.
I was not trying to call you (or anyone) out when I mentioned mean spirited comments. It had nothing to do with your comments in particular. I was referring to the types we have all seen in the past where almost personal attacks have been directed toward Michelle Obama. For me, if there was some type of disability or handicap involved with this poster, I was willing to cut her some slack because at least her comments in almost all instances, do not appear to be mean spirited in content as some I have seen.. My intent was simply to share some prior background for those that may not have seen/read the earlier explanation was given.
I don’t have a problem with any of your posts. In fact I enjoy them as I do many others on this site however, there’s one exception. My name is Theresa…I personally don’t like to be referred to as “dear”, by anyone. I find the term of address very condescending.
Good afternoon -
Ms. Rogers did a fantastic job during her abbreviated tenure. The music programs. The garden. Inviting the local community into "the people's house". All of these and other programs will have her mark.
Many of us have been in situations where a new boss comes in and wants to leave his or her mark. At first things go well. Then s/he wants to make a change that long time staff would not advise. The boss - being the boss - wants the change. The boss implements the change - and things go bad. Quickly. I suspect that that is what happened here.
One of the talking heads mentioned that a more accurate title for the position is Events Director rather than Social Secretary. As the WH looks to replace Ms. Rogers it might be a good time to address the title.
I do hope that there is someone on the First Lady's staff who is in sync with Ms. Rogers vision of the Obama brand. That person can insure that what Ms. Rogers has started does not falter. I hope that the First Lady and Ms. Rogers maintain some type of communication. Ms. Rogers may still be able to impart her vision for the Obama White House.
I was very sad to learn that Mrs. Rogers was stepping down from her post. In my opinion, she was a fabulous Social Secretary. However, I do understand the possible reasons for her resignation. It's unfortunate that this entire administration has been under the magnifying class from "day one." So, the events of the first State Dinner will forever be focused upon as long as Mrs. Rogers remained in this position.
I doubt that this resignation will or has affected her long friendship with the Obamas. I do not think that they are "fair-weather friends." Mrs. Rogers was in the group of close Obama friends who stood with and by him and his family during the lengthy campaign and who continue to support them. I admire this loyalty. Mrs. Rogers may be leaving the White House; but, I think, she will continue to be close friends with the Obamas and that they will continue to have contact.
I do hope that the constant spotlight on the Social Secretary continues with Ms. Smoot as the Social Secretary. I pray that an err in judgement does not befall her. If nothing else, the error of judgement that was made by Mrs. Rogers, serves as a forwarding for Ms. Smoot.
Good luck, Mrs. Rogers and know that you did an awesome job as Social Secretary. I am truly sorry to see you go.
Asereht, thank you.
I just wandered over from Michelle Obama Watch, and tend to just read what's said here, rather than respond, but you've just echoed exactly what I was thinking....
It concerns me that Ms Rogers in much the same way she started in the position of Social Secretary, chose the viciously sly republican gossip columnist Lynn Sweet to give her exit interview which included snippets about her happiness being key.
Not the best or classiest way to go and certainly reeks of a woman scorned. The enemy within is far more dangerous than the identified enemy without.
Here's hoping the Obama's shed many more of these enemy within types.
@Asereht
You're right. I've done a pretty good job skipping unimportant posts up till now, but sometimes they just break through. I'll double-down and do a better job next time.
I was listening to the news the other day and they were reporting Desiree's resignation along with some other White House news and the headline was "Democrats in Disarray." Not that Desiree isn't important, but yikes, maybe a little perspective is needed. If Rahm Emanuel were stepping down unexpectedly, THAT'S "disarray." Desiree stepping aside is, basically, gossip. I'm indulging in it too, don't get me wrong! But, in the scheme of things, not that big a deal. There's plenty of other reasons why the Democrats are in disarray, heaven knows.
Mrs. T, if MICHELLE who posts here in ALL CAPS is really as uneducted as her comments would lead us to believe, I don't believe you are doing her a kindness to continue to post them. If there is, indeed, a visual impairment that she has causes the grammatical errors and misspellings I would like MICHELLE to respond to this and let us know so that we could find some empathy in our hearts for her, but lately I have to tell you, her comments are downright annoying. I had to hold myself back on her rant over the dress the FLOTUS wore to meet with the FLOTUS of Mexico in. I agree, we don't have to read all the posts, but really. It's getting SUPER annoying.
Sorry to double post, but...
"....viciously sly republican gossip columnist Lynn Sweet..." Really? I admit I don't know much about Lynn Sweet, other than that she's a longtime Chicago reporter. But, I do remember Sweet being very firmly on Desiree's side during the whole gatecrasher event. At least, she wrote a column in Desiree's favor soon after the dinner.
Cannot understand the need to go after Michelle. If her postings upset you, move past them. The need to constantly be correcting those whose personal stories we don't know is rude and unseemly, especially on a site like this. It verges on flaming.
I don't recall reading anywhere on site that everyone had to use proper English grammar and spell correctly. Give it up, nannies.
Let's talk fashion...
Lynn Sweet, of the Chicago Sun-Times, has been a member of Mrs. Obama's own White House press entourage since the election. No, she is not a "viciously sly republican (sic) gossip columnist" .
She was a successful and accomplished woman before the job at The White House and I'm sure that she'll be once she returns to Chicago. It was great to see this woman in the past at events throughout Chicago and we'll see her again looking just as fabulous as always.
@Asereht, Thanks for your reply.
That Comme de Garcons dress is really not very attractive. Would Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn be caught dead in it?
To MICHELLE in all caps,your real or imagine encounters with right there next to and being with the Obama's are highly unlikely, but have served us a nice helping of entertainment. Free entertainment at best. We would all love you to post your invitations for us all to to be are part of your life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYT89iItQgw
A quick response to a few comments above... I have no idea what Lynn Sweet's political affiliation might be, but I do believe she's a great journalist. I've never detected an agenda in her writing, and her information is always credible.
In terms of commenter 'michelle' ... I ask that those who feel bothered by the all-caps comments, etc. please just try to move on to the next comment. I see no harm in her posts. Her commenting behavior does not, in any way, mimic the trolls I've dealt with in the past on this blog. I also know that she posts on MichelleObamaWatch.com. Maybe I'm being naive, but I think the comments are entirely innocuous. If anyone disagrees please email me at contact@mrs-o.org to discuss further.
@BeeGee: I don't even know if "MICHELLE" exists. Her posts are just downright strange. When she makes a typo the key isn't even close to the correct one, which makes one wonder if it's some kind of robo-post. Most of us make small typos (myself included) while multi-tasking or because we are in a hurry or we get interrupted, but none that need total deciphering like MICHELLE's. I'm with Christina and lorns and Christen on this subject.
@MICHELLE: ALL the ladies are right about one thing: if you are real - using lower caps would be a great start.
First of all I 'personally' have nothing against Ms. Rogers since I do not know her in 'real' life.
But I am glad that she has resigned.
I have never liked the fact that she has been in the spotlight as much as she has been, that she has given interviews, has done photo shoots for magazines, and has always seemed to position herself in the right spot at the right time during events in order to draw attention to herself and get into the press via photos.
Maybe I am old fashioned but I believe that 'the staff' should be there to assist the First Family in a way that puts the First Family into the spotlight and not themselves.
I wish Ms. Rogers the best of luck in her future pursuits.
p.s. I think Ms. Rogers messed up when she took over her her new position and instead of 'learning' the ropes she changed the procedures that had been in place for many years - NOT a good thing to do --- which resulted in the huge Salahi fiasco. Hopefully her new replacement will take some time and study what has worked & hasn't worked in the past and will be more successful in the future.