White House communications director Bill Shine resigns

Christopher Wilson
·Senior Writer
Updated ·2 min read
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The White House announced Friday that communications director Bill Shine has resigned.

The news comes days after a New Yorker report detailing Fox News’ close relationship with the Trump White House. Shine was a Fox News executive prior to being pushed out for his handling of a number of sexual harassment lawsuits at the network. He was named to the White House position in July 2018.

In a statement, Shine said he looked forward to “working on President Trump’s reelection campaign and spending more time with my family.”

“Bill Shine has done an outstanding job working for me and the administration,” said President Trump in a statement. “We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 presidential campaign, where he will be totally involved. Thank you to Bill and his wonderful family!”

White House deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine stands in the Rose Garden before President Donald Trump speaks at the White House, Friday, Jan 25, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
White House deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine stands in the Rose Garden in January. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP)

Shine was a 20-year veteran of Fox News, serving as news director and then briefly co-president before resigning in 2017. While Shine was never accused of harassment directly, he was named in a number of lawsuits as being complicit in promoting a workplace culture of covering up sexual harassment and both paying off and intimidating victims. Following the New Yorker report, the Democratic National Committee announced it would no longer be holding any primary debates on the network.

Shine’s wife, Darla, was at the center of an anti-vaccine controversy in February when she promoted a pro-measles position on Twitter and incorrectly insisted contracting measles is good for your health and helps prevent cancer.

“The entire Baby Boom population alive today had the #Measles as kids,” wrote Darla Shine. “Bring back our #ChildhoodDiseases they keep you healthy & fight cancer.”

Shine’s departure is the latest in a heavy churn of executive branch officials. Currently the secretary of defense, secretary of interior and White House chief of staff are all serving in an acting capacity following the December departures of James Mattis, Ryan Zinke and John Kelly, who previously held those positions.

Jason Miller was originally named communications director but backed out in December 2016 amid allegations of an extramarital affair. Hope Hicks held the position for seven months before announcing her resignation in February 2018. In October, she was hired to head communications for Fox.

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