In recent weeks President Donald Trump has ramped up his search for a new White House communications director amid recent tensions in the communications shop and a lack of organized messaging strategy, according to sources with knowledge of the search.
APIn this April 24, 2017, file photo, then-Fox News co-president Bill Shine, right, leaves a New York restaurant. President Donald Trump is expected to name Shine as director of White House press and communications.
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In addition to Shine, source say there are at least three candidates who have been in discussions with White House officials.
A former longtime executive at Fox News, Shine, was ousted last spring amid a major shakeup at the network because of sexual harassment scandals. Shine was never personally accused of harassment, but questions were raised about his handling of the accusations.
Shine is very close with Fox News primetime star Sean Hannity, a close ally of Trump. After his dismissal from Fox, Shine was a guest of Hannity at a White House Christmas party.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump shakes hands with Communications Director Hope Hicks on her last day of work at the White House before he departs, March 29, 2018, in Washington.
Shine’s new post comes nearly four months after the former communications director and longest-serving member of Trump’s team, Hope Hicks, resigned.
Since Hicks’ resignation, sources say Trump has acted as his own communications director. In March, Trump popped his head into the White House briefing room in a surprise appearance to tell the press the South Koreans would be making an announcement from the White House.
And just last week, Trump caught his staff off-guard with a tweet announcing he would likely appear on “Fox & Friends.” As he walked out, the press team could be seen running out to catch up with him.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
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