Irish media seems to think Sean Spicer is a favorite to be named ambassador to Ireland
On Tuesday, Brian Burns withdrew his name from consideration as President Trump's pick for ambassador to Ireland, saying through a spokesman that he hurt his back in "a bad fall a few weeks ago" but had been honored to be "considered to be U.S. ambassador to his beloved Ireland." Trump indicated that Burns would be his pick in December, though he never formally nominated him. Now, the position is open, and Irish media has some suggestions for Trump, or at least some speculation. Topping the list: White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
Doesn't Spicer already have a full-time Trump administration job? Yes, concedes IrishCentral, but ambassador to Dublin "would be the perfect landing spot for this proud-as-punch Irishman who once appeared on CNN wearing Shamrock covered pants on St. Patrick's Day." Trump has been openly speculating about firing Spicer since soon after he appointed him, and there is some precedent for shunting White House aides to foreign embassies: Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland is now Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore, and in May, The Washington Post reported that there has been White House discussion of Trump dispatching Chief of Staff Reince Priebus "to serve as ambassador to Greece — his mother is of Greek descent — as a face-saving way to remove him from the White House."
Other potential Irish ambassador picks being floated in Irish media include Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax Media and a Trump friend; Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.); Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), pitched as a way to rid Trump of a moderate Republican; and Northern Irish actress Roma Downey, who is married to Apprentice producer Mark Burnett. You should take all those names with a healthy pinch of salt.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published