President-elect Trump has selected Sean Spicer to be his press secretary.
The transition also announced several other communications staff positions including Hope Hicks as Director of Strategic Communications, Jason Miller as Director of Communications, and Dan Scavino as Director of Social Media.
“Sean, Hope, Jason and Dan have been key members of my team during the campaign and transition. I am excited they will be leading the team that will communicate my agenda that will Make America Great Again,” President-elect Trump said in a statement.
Spicer reacted to the announcement on Twitter, calling it an amazing honor:
Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this amazing honor. Excited to join Hope Hicks @DanScavino @JasonMillerinDC https://t.co/amZth0zD4j #MAGA
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) December 22, 2016
Spicer has been the communications director at the RNC for the past 6 years. CNN is framing his appointment as a reassuring sign:
For Washington reporters who fear Trump’s treatment of the press, Spicer’s appointment may be seen as a positive sign.
While Spicer can be combative with critics and, like Trump, is known for unleashing his Twitter account on reporters and news organizations, he is also a veteran of the Washington press relations game and likely to provide an open line of communication into Trump’s White House.
Spicer had been rumored to be in the lead for the press secretary position but several other names were also under consideration including Laura Ingraham and Monica Crowley. More recently there had been speculation that Trump was considering Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle for the position.
Politico reported Tuesday that Spicer was expected to get the job but added Guilfoyle might still be under consideration for an “ancillary role” sharing some duties with Spicer. But a source told Politico Guilfoyle would be hesitant to give up her lucrative Fox News gig for a job as part-time press secretary.
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