At Friday’s high-stakes summit, the unexpected star wasn’t Trump or Putin but Monica Crowley, the poised Chief of Protocol who charmed the Russian leader with a handshake and smile on the tarmac in Alaska.
Once known as a Fox News analyst and Nixon biographer, Crowley now serves as the behind-the-scenes architect of Trump’s biggest diplomatic moments, managing every detail from flags to seating.
On this occasion, she briefly stepped into the spotlight, earning even a rare grin from Putin.
Nominated in December and sworn in on May 30, Crowley will also oversee protocol for America’s 250th Independence Day, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics.
A Columbia PhD and former Treasury official, she brings decades of experience but has largely stayed out of the spotlight—until now, as her visible role at one of the most closely watched U.S.-Russia meetings signaled her growing influence on the world stage.