Scaramucci Eviscerates Kelly Over Hope Hicks Resignation: He ‘Tried to Cover Up’ Porter Abuse
Scorned White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci appeared on CNN’s New Day to issue warm words for his successor, Hope Hicks, who resigned herself on Wednesday amidst controversy.
He also pinned her demise squarely on Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired four-star general brought into the infamously wild White House to impose order.
After Scaramucci hailed Hicks in glowing terms, New Day host Chris Cuomo pressed him about how he explains the “Rob Porter situation,” referring to the White House senior aide, and reported boyfriend of Hicks, who was fired after he was accused of beating his ex-wives.
“I hold the White House chief of staff accountable for that,” Scaramucci replied, noting that Kelly knew about the abuse allegations leveled against Porter.
“I don’t understand why he would allow Hope to date Porter if he’s got that information,” he added. “He had the information, he tried to cover up the information, he tried to get other people inside the White House to cover up the information for him.”
Cuomo pressed Scaramucci on that point, noting that the White House maintains that Kelly was unaware of the allegations until they were revealed in reports, and acted on the information as soon as it was public.
“Well, I don’t believe that,” Scaramucci replied.
“I guess he’s an honorable Marine,” he continued. “So he’s got to look himself in the mirror and say what he knew and when he knew it.”
Scaramucci then explained that he still harbors animus towards Kelly, who fired him in an effort to righten the White House ship over a tumultuous summer.
“Let me tell you what I don’t like about it, okay,” he said. “I talked a little bit of smack about two guys that we were trying to get rid of, he fires me in five seconds.”
“These guys are smacking up their wives, and he’s trying to figure out a way to keep them inside the White House.”
Scaramucci added that there is a “culture of fear” inside the White House, emanating from Kelly.
At the end of the interview, he again slammed Kelly for rock-bottom morale at the White House, adding that more departures should be expected.
Watch above, via CNN.
[image via screengrab]
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