Trump reportedly soured on Bill Shine because he wasn't able to improve his press coverage
Bill Shine unexpectedly resigned as White House communications director on Friday, and now, the reason is coming into greater focus.
Numerous sources report that the relationship between Shine and President Trump deteriorated because the president was frustrated that he was failing to improve his press coverage. The Daily Beast writes that Trump has been complaining about this for months, with one source saying, "Trump loves a yes-man, but he loves good press more.”
Similarly, The New York Times reports that Trump "frequently criticized" Shine to his advisers because "his own press coverage had not improved." Trump also reportedly saw Shine as "ineffective" and "developing few ideas." The Washington Post backs this report up and writes that Shine's exit had to do with Trump being unhappy with his press coverage, and The Wall Street Journal says that Shine not being able to effectively deal with unfavorable news cycles led to Trump's "simmering frustration."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
CNN, meanwhile, reports that some people in the White House didn't even understand what it is that Shine did because "they did not believe that during his tenure in the White House that the communications strategy had changed all that much," per Mediaite. New York Magazine's Olivia Nuzzi writes that some feel Shine will be more influential from outside the White House, while another source told her there may have been something of a power struggle. "Bill's a boss, and in that building, there's only one boss," the source reportedly told Nuzzi.
Shine has accepted a job as an adviser on Trump's re-election campaign, although the Times cites sources close to the White House as saying this is simply "a way to save face."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Amanemu: an ultra-luxury onsen retreat in Japan's Ise-Shima National Park
The Week Recommends Soak in blissful private solitude among pine-cloaked hills and steamy hot springs
By Scott Campbell Published
-
Today's political cartoons - December 23, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - immigrant jobs, crypto scams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A foodie's tour of Louisiana
The Week Recommends The state's hedonistic spirit is reflected in its celebration of good food
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published