Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle claims to be in talks to replace Sean Spicer
A Fox News host is reportedly in discussions with the Trump administration about replacing Sean Spicer as White House Press Secretary.
Kimberly Guilfoyle said she had been approached by a number of people in the Trump administration about replacing Mr Spicer who did not run his daily press briefings last week.
Ms Guilfoyle, a TV personality who co-hosts The Five, said she thought it would be both a “fascinating” and “challenging” job which would require the input of someone who was both committed and concentrated.
“I think it’d be a fascinating job," she told the Mercury News. "It’s a challenging job, and you need someone really determined and focused, a great communicator in there with deep knowledge to be able to handle that position.”
She added: “I think I have a very good relationship with the President. I think I enjoy a very straightforward and authentic, very genuine relationship, one that’s built on trust and integrity, and I think that’s imperative for success in that position.”
The presenter said she had frequently been in touch with members of the Trump administration throughout the duration of her job. She also expressed her respect for Mr Spicer, whose press appearances have been beset by multiple gaffes, and branded him a “very nice man” and a “patriot”.
She made a number of remarks on air last week about the role but ceased to mention the possibility of herself stepping in for Mr Spicer.
“If you want to be successful and do communications with President Trump, you have to be someone who he actually wants to spend a little bit of time with,” she said. "You’ve got to insist on getting in front of POTUS, talk to him, and have like five, six minutes with him before you go out there and take the podium, and otherwise you’re driving blind.”
The White House has challenged speculation about Mr Spicer’s future as Press Secretary despite ongoing reports on the matter.
Last week, it was reported Mr Spicer was facing an uncertain future after his poor handling of President Trump’s decision to fire FBI director James Comey. The Republican was ridiculed for hiding among the bushes near the White House as reporters attempted to question him about it.
Mr Spicer was replaced by Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week – a massively critical week which saw the White House subject to heavy scrutiny over the sacking of Mr Comey.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer walks from the West Wing to speak to reporters (AP)
The 30th White House Press Secretary carried out Navy Reserve duty, where he has served as a commander for almost twenty years, during his time off from the daily press briefings.
