Former Fox News co-president Bill Shine is in his final round of talks with White House officials about becoming President Trump’s newest communications director, a source familiar with the situation confirmed Wednesday.
Shine resigned from the network a little over a year ago following a barrage of sexual harassment claims against the former Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes and the network’s top anchor, Bill O’Reilly. Shine himself was never accused of sexual misconduct, but was named in several lawsuits and complaints against the news organization for his handling of certain allegations.
The role of communications director has been open for nearly five months, since Hope Hicks vacated top the West Wing post in March. Early reports suggested Trump was considering White House strategic communications director Mercy Schlapp and Treasury spokesman Tony Sayegh for the position, though the speculation surrounding both candidates eventually died down after a decision was put off for several weeks.
Shine had previously been named as a possible contender, but was said to have removed himself from consideration.
Adding Shine to the senior White House staff would adhere to a pattern Trump has followed for recent staffing decisions. The president tapped two prominent TV personalities earlier this year for top roles in his administration: Fox News contributor and former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton for national security adviser, and CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow for National Economic Council chairman.
The White House did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
