Scaramucci: "Elements" within White House plotting Trump's exit
What's the story
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said there are "elements" within the White House trying to get rid of President Donald Trump. He said Trump needs to bring in more loyalists to fulfill his agenda. Scaramucci was speaking to ABC News, his first interview since being fired over a profanity-laced interview against former White House chief-of-staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon.
01 Aug 2017
Trump's media chief sacked just 10 days after appointment
On August 1, the Trump administration fired White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, less than 10 days after his appointment. Scaramucci was criticized for going on a profanity-laden tirade against his White House chief-of-staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon in an interview. He is the latest of several senior Trump officials who have been fired or have quit.
Quote
What Scaramucci said
Scaramucci told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that Trump was fighting an "enemy within." He said: "I think there are elements inside of Washington, also inclusive of the White House, that are not necessarily abetting the president's interests or his agenda. I absolutely believe that, yes."
Who?
Scaramucci indicates Priebus and Bannon threatened Trump's presidency
When asked to name the White House insiders threatening the Trump presidency, Scaramucci replied saying he had already done so. This could be a reference to Priebus and Bannon. He said "this sort of 'Bannon-bart' influence," a reference to Bannon's alt-right Breitbart news website, "is a snag on the president." Scaramucci said Trump knows how to deal with Bannon.
"Best interests"
Trump deserves more credit than he gets
Scaramucci said Trump has done "way better" as president then people give him credit for. He said Trump's decision may be considered "counter-intuitive" and be disliked by the media and in the Washington political class. He said Trump's decisions are in the "best interests" of the American people. "And so for whatever reason, people have made a decision that they want to eject him."
"Unforced error"
Scaramucci opens up about his dismissal
Speaking of his dismissal, Scaramucci says the odds were firmly stacked against him in his role as communications director. "There were leaks and there was a repetitive process to try to dislodge me," he said. Scaramucci believes he "made an unforced error" by giving the interview, which made his dismissal easy. He said he underestimated his enemies and warned Trump against doing the same.