The White House hosted its first on-camera briefing with reporters in weeks after a morning of drama in its press office, including the resignation of press secretary Sean Spicer.
Before Friday, the most recent on-camera briefing at the White House took place on June 29. Spicer’s last briefing was on June 20.
Anthony Scaramucci, who was named White House communications director Friday morning, announced during the briefing that White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would take over Spicer’s role. Scaramucci wished Spicer well, saying he hopes “he goes on to make a tremendous amount of money.”
Sanders read a statement on Spicer’s resignation from President Donald Trump, who praised Spicer for his “great television ratings.”
“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people,” Trump’s statement said.
Spicer resigned Friday morning, reportedly after objecting to Trump’s appointment of Scaramucci. ABC and The New York Times said Trump did not ask for Spicer’s resignation.
Scaramucci said he would work closely with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, someone he said is “like a brother,” to get the Trump administration’s message out to Americans. He told reporters he felt there “has been at times a disconnect between the way we see the president ... and perhaps some of you see the president.”
Scaramucci repeatedly said he loves Trump and praised the commander in chief repeatedly. He also emphasized that he thinks Trump is the best communicator in the White House and argued “he’s got some of the best political instincts in the world.”
The new communications director said Hope Hicks, the director of strategic communications, and Dan Scavino, the director of social media, would both continue to work at the White House.
This article has been updated with more details from the press briefing.
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