Michael Raymon Caputo is an American political strategist, lobbyist, and Republican political operative with extensive experience in U.S. and international campaigns. A longtime associate and protégé of Roger Stone, whom he served as a personal driver early in his career, Caputo has been involved in high-profile Republican efforts, including as former Trump campaign communications director, and faced scrutiny over Russia ties in connection with 2016 election activities.

Early Life and Military Service

• Born and raised in Buffalo, New York.
• Enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, serving in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii where he worked in early public relations.

Education

See dedicated education field.

Early Career

• Worked for the Reagan Administration alongside Oliver North on propaganda efforts supporting the president's agenda in Central and South America.
• Assistant director of the House of Representatives Gallery for the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association.
• Employed by Republican politicians including Congressman Jack Kemp.
• Director of media services for George H. W. Bush's 1992 presidential campaign.

International Work

• Moved to Moscow, Russia in 1994 post-Soviet dissolution; business partner with Sergey Petrushin since ~1997.
• President of The Florence Group (1994–1999); pivotal in Boris Yeltsin's 1995 reelection as USAID adviser.
• Gazprom-Media employee (2000); contracted to improve Vladimir Putin's U.S. public image.
• Advised a candidate's campaign in the 2007 Ukrainian parliamentary election; met second wife Maryna Ponomarenko in Kyiv.

U.S. Political and Business Career

• Founded Michael Caputo Public Relations after returning to U.S. late 2000; offices in East Aurora, NY (2016), Miami Beach, FL, and Moscow.
• Campaign manager for Carl Paladino's unsuccessful 2010 New York gubernatorial bid.
• WBEN AM radio commentator during 2016 New York Republican primary.
• Senior adviser, Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign (Nov 2015–Jun 2016): managed New York communications; departed after supporting Corey Lewandowski's removal.
• Adviser on Trump's 2014 Buffalo Bills stalking-horse bid: founded 'Bills Fan Thunder'; ran smear campaigns against rivals.

Trump Administration

• Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020-04-16 to 2021-01-20).
• Appointed Dr. Paul Alexander as scientific adviser; involved in $300M 'Defeat Despair' COVID ad campaign.

Controversies and Investigations

• 2017 Russia Probe: Interviewed voluntarily by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (2017-05-09) re: Russian interference in 2016 election, Trump campaign role, prior Russia work; met Roger Stone and Henry Greenberg (Sergey Petrushin) May 2016 discussing Hillary Clinton info; denied Russia ties; liquidated children's college funds for legal fees.
• HHS Tenure (2020): Sought to suppress/edit CDC reports (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, MMWR) for political content; accused CDC scientists of sedition/resistance unit.
• Facebook Rant (2020-09-14): Posted video alleging 'hit squads' training against Trump, urged buying ammo, threatened death; apologized next day, took medical leave.
• Sexist, crude tweets (2019–2020); racist tweets about Chinese (early 2020, deleted).
• 2014 Bills bid: smear campaigns post-Trump disqualification.
• Attributed Trump leaks to 'silent coup' (2017).

Personal Life

• First marriage (1990s Russia) to Russian astrophysics student; ended in divorce.
• Second wife: Maryna Ponomarenko (Ukrainian, met 2007).
• Father of children (names undisclosed).
• Converted to Catholicism (2000).
• Diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (throat, spread to neck/head; 2020-09-24); two-month medical leave from HHS (2020-09-15).
• Social media: X/Twitter @MichaelRCaputo; website aboutmichaelcaputo.com.