Who is Anthony Scaramucci? Former White House Director of Communications sacked by Donald Trump
WALL Street bigwig Anthony Scaramucci's appointment as White House communications director sparked a massive backlash – and he lasted less than two weeks in the post.
But who is the entrepreneur turned spin doctor and why did he inspire such a strong reaction? And why was he removed from his post so quickly?
Who is Anthony Scaramucci?
Anthony Scaramucci is an entrepreneur and financier who was appointed White House communications director by US president Donald Trump – but he was abruptly removed after just 10 days in the role.
Scaramucci, 52, has known Trump for years and served as an adviser on his transition team, repeatedly defending the president.
But he hadn't always been supportive of Trump's policies, and admitted deleting tweets that could embarrass his new boss.
Born in Manhattan, he worked for Goldman Sachs before starting SkyBridge Capital in 2005, which made his millions.
In June 2017 he was appointed a senior vice president and chief strategy officer at the US Export-Import Bank - the government's export credit agency.
Scaramucci, who studied at Harvard Law School, has also hosted TV show Wall Street Week and appeared on Fox News as well as having written three books.
He often goes by the nickname 'The Mooch' and rose to British people's attention after a confrontational and at times bizarre interview with the BBC's Emily Maitlis.
Why was Anthony Scaramucci fired?
Sources speaking to the New York Times, who broke the story, said new Chief of Staff John Kelly had asked Trump to fire his new comms boss.
A brief statement from the White House said: "Anthony Scaramucci will be leaving his role as White House Communications Director.
"Mr. Scaramucci felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team. We wish him all the best."
Just days after his appointment it was revealed that Scaramucci had launched an astonishing and expletive laden attack on a slew of his White House colleagues saying he wanted too “f***ing kill all the leakers”.
The comments were reportedly made during a late-night phone call made to a New Yorker reporter.
A “worked up” Scaramucci, who was convinced one of his colleagues had leaked information about a dinner at the White House, demanded to know the journalist's source.
What has been the reaction to his sacking?
There have been thousands of tweets poking fun at Scaramucci's short tenure
Surprisingly, President Donald Trump tweeted that it had been a "great day at the White House" after his comms director was fired.
Actress Kate Hudson, who starred in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, posted a mocked up poster on Instagram for the film which featured Trump and Scaramucci instead of her and co-star Matthew McConaughey.
The former President of Mexico Vicente Fox Quesada tweeted: "Hey Trump, I'm watching this really bad reality TV show with low ratings called Survivor White House.
"I can't change the channel, sad!"
What has Scaramucci said?
The former Wall Street guru has spoken about his sacking with the Huffington Post, revealing he had a "very polite conversation" with the new chief of staff John Kelly, who asked for his resignation.
He said: "The president told me he knows I have his back, but he has to try to tighten the ship.”
He hinted at a move away from the spotlight by saying "he plans to go dark".
Since being dismissed, Scaramucci has denied rumours that he is having a relationship with a Fox News presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Roger Stone, a Donald Trump confidante, told the Huffington Post they are just "very close friends", adding: "He is way too short for Kimberly.”
Scaramucci has agreed to appear on Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' on Monday, August 14 where he is expected to discuss his brief tenure as White House Communications Director.
What does the White House communications director do?
The White House communications director is one of the president's senior staff members.
It has also proved something of a poisoned chalice during Trump's presidency, with Scaramucci the third to hold the post since his inauguration.
The incumbent is responsible for developing the agenda of the president and leading his media campaign.
The president has the power to appoint someone to the role, without senate approval.
Was Anthony Scaramucci's appointment controversial?
Donald Trump's decision to hire Anthony Scaramucci was reportedly the reason the president's press secretary Sean Spicer decided to resign after six months in the role.
Spicer reportedly told the president the appointment was a "major mistake".
Scaramucci has previously been a political fundraiser for 2012 Presidential nominee Mitt Romney and served on the executive committee of Trump's transition team.
He was also a prominent Trump advocate on TV during his presidential campaign.
But Scaramucci had never held a formal political communications role before taking the sought-after White House job, reported CNN.
There were other controversial aspects.
In January 2017 the Wall Street veteran, who is close friends with Donald Trump Jr, had been linked to a job in the Office of Public Liaison, but this appeared to fall through due to the length of time it would take him to pass conflict-of-interest checks.
In 2008 Scaramucci was a fundraiser for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, but had distanced himself from the then president by the 2012 election after accusing him of "whacking Wall Street".
He had also praised Hillary Clinton as "extremely competent" and appeared to question Trump's judgement in a now deleted tweet.
