I avoided writing about Anthony Scaracmucci last week when he was unceremoniously escorted off the White House grounds by security. He lasted less than two weeks as Trump’s new director of communications. In fact, he hadn’t even officially begun the job; he was just taking advantage of the notoriety by being very public with his statements.
Those statements are what led to him being shown the door, a particular White House door that a number of staffers have gone through lately.
Upon hearing of Scaramucci’s quick exit, I joked (well, maybe it was only half a joke) that I wouldn’t comment yet because I wanted to be sure first that new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly still had his job after a couple of days had elapsed.
Kelly’s arrival at the heart of the Trump administration is coming at a crucial time. Reports of internecine fighting within Trump’s troops are not all fake news. Major disagreements have surfaced between factions vying for prominence.
It’s also becoming increasingly clear that Trump lacks any real managerial skills, despite his bravado. He’s far more concerned with his personal image and making grandiose claims about how great he is.
The latest example was his declaration that the leader of the Boy Scouts called to tell him his speech before the organization was the best speech ever delivered to them. That was followed by a strong denial from the organization that any such call had occurred.
Who’s the one putting out fake news now?
Unfortunately, Trump tends to surround himself with people just like him. That makes for extreme dysfunction.
Now that Kelly is in control (well, we’ll see how much he can truly control), perhaps things will run more efficiently.
As a highly decorated general, he knows what it takes to achieve difficult goals.
This may be his hardest task yet. All the best to you, Chief of Staff Kelly. There are many of us out here who want you to succeed.