White House communications director Bill Shine has resigned, the White House has said.
Shine, assistant to the president, offered President Trump his resignation Thursday evening, and the president accepted it, according to a statement from the White House. He is said to be joining the Trump campaign as a senior adviser, but the reasons for his departure were unclear. Friday is his last day with the administration.
“Serving President Trump and this country has been the most rewarding experience of my entire life,” Shine said in a statement. “To be a small part of all this president has done for the American people has truly been an honor.”
Trump praised Shine, 55, for his work and said he looks forward to continuing working together on the 2020 campaign. “Bill Shine has done an outstanding job working for me and the administration,” he said.
His decision to step down comes days after The New Yorker published a bruising article documenting the links between the president and Fox News and accusing the network of serving as the propaganda arm of the White House.
Shine previously served as co-president of Fox News and Fox Business Network and joined the White House as communications director in July 2018. He replaced Hope Hicks in the role, who left the Trump administration in March 2018.
Trump has cycled through a number of communications directors since the start of his presidency. Others who held the position include Mike Dubke, Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted just 10 days in the position, and Sean Spicer, who served in an acting capacity.
Shine is now the third high-ranking official within the Trump administration to announce a departure this week. Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Tuesday he will leave his post, and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told the president that she will resign effective May 31, according to reports.
He served as the right-hand-man to Roger Ailes, Fox News’ former CEO who was ousted following allegations of sexual harassment. While Shine was promoted to co-president following Ailes’ departure, Fox News announced in May 2017 that Shine would be leaving the network.
He was named in at least four lawsuits filed against Fox News claiming harassment in the workplace.
But Brad Parscale, Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, said Shine’s hiring only strengthens the president’s re-election effort.
“Bill Shine is an incredible professional and will bring insight and talent as we build a world-class campaign,” Parscale said in a statement. “He is a gifted communicator, strategic thinker and brings a wealth of experience from cable news and the White House.”
White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney called Shine “an asset of invaluable importance to this West Wing.” He added: “I have enjoyed working with him and witnessing firsthand his unmatched talent, expertise and, and skills.”
