President Trump thanked outgoing press secretary Sean Spicer for his service on Friday and joked about his press briefings’ high television ratings.
“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of the administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to other opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings,” Trump said in a statement read at the White House Friday by Sarah Sanders.
The White House recently suspended TV networks’ and others’ ability to film briefings and allowed only off-screen events.
Trump has said TV ratings are important to him personally. He criticized his replacement on NBC show “Celebrity Apprentice,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, for not delivering high ratings when he took over the program earlier this year.
Newly announced communications director Anthony Scaramucci also wished Spicer the best.
“I hope he goes on to make a tremendous amount of money,” Scaramucci said.
