But two people familiar with Mr. Epshteyn’s tenure said he had become combative with the networks on which he was assigned to book surrogates defending the administration, a junior position for someone who has other news media experience, which he does.
A recent report by Politico detailed a blowup that Mr. Epshteyn had with Fox News, the cable network that most consistently defends the president’s agenda.
Mr. Epshteyn, known for his argumentative, badgering style on TV, was a spokesman for the presidential inaugural committee. He grew up in Moscow, and met Eric Trump at Georgetown University.
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