Spokesman in tirade of abuse
Donald Trump’s new communications director Anthony Scaramucci (above) has attacked White House colleagues in obscene comments.
OPEN warfare has erupted inside President Donald Trump’s inner circle as his new communications director Anthony Scaramucci attacked senior White House colleagues in obscene comments.
Mr Scaramucci blasted White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and Mr Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, in an article in
The New Yorker based on a telephone conversation between one of the magazine’s correspondents and Mr Scaramucci.
Amid a stream of vulgar language, the former Wall Street financier named to the communications post last week called Mr Priebus a “f***ing paranoid schizophrenic” and accused Mr Bannon of trying to build his own brand “off the f***ing strength of the president”.
In a Twitter message after the article appeared online, Mr Scaramucci said: “I sometimes use colourful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump’s agenda.” Asked about the article, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the administration was focused on healthcare and other items.
“He used some colourful language that I don’t anticipate he’ll do again,” she told reporters. Any apology “needs to happen personally between them”, she said.
Mr Priebus and Mr Bannon had no comment. Mr Trump himself made no public comment on his aide’s outburst.
Some of Mr Trump’s advisers have questioned Mr Priebus’ competence. Republicans close to the White House said Mr Trump’s family had also been critical of his chief of staff.
The drama was the latest sign of disarray within the Trump White House even as it tried to advance healthcare and tax reform legislation.
The President himself is preoccupied with an investigation into Russian meddling in last year’s election.
In the meantime, dealing a serious blow to President Trump’s agenda, the Senate yesterday rejected a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama’s health care law after a night of high suspense in the US Capitol.
Unable to pass even a socalled “skinny repeal,” it is unclear if Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven long years of promises to repeal “Obamacare”.
A key vote to defeat the measure was cast by Republican Senator John McCain, who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer.