Citing Giuliani’s interview on Sunday with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos — when Giuliani suggested it’s possible Cohen paid off additional women before the election — as an example, the same source said Giuliani “is stealing the spotlight and he’s embarrassing (Trump).”

Giuliani’s performance has drawn comparisons to that of Anthony Scaramucci by some inside the White House. Trump brought aboard the short-lived White House communications director to stabilize the press shop amid an outpouring of leaks about infighting, only to fire him 11 days later after Scaramucci’s sensational comments to reporters generated too much negative coverage.

“I think this thing will burn out,” the senior White House official observed, calling Giuliani’s public representation of the President a “little charade.”

“Either he’ll change his behavior, or he’s not going to do it very long,” the senior White House official said.