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Trump appoints long-time aide Hope Hicks as interim communications director

WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump’s long-time aide Hope Hicks will serve as the interim White House director of communications and will help the President find a permanent person for the job, the administration said on Wednesday (Aug 16).

Ms Hope Hicks is pictured during a campaign event for Mr Donald Trump in Phoenix, Arizona on Oct 29 2016. Mr Trump's administration said on Wednesday (Aug 17) that Ms Hicks will serve as the interim White House director of communications and will help the President find a permanent person for the job. Photo: Reuters

Ms Hope Hicks is pictured during a campaign event for Mr Donald Trump in Phoenix, Arizona on Oct 29 2016. Mr Trump's administration said on Wednesday (Aug 17) that Ms Hicks will serve as the interim White House director of communications and will help the President find a permanent person for the job. Photo: Reuters

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WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump’s long-time aide Hope Hicks will serve as the interim White House director of communications and will help the President find a permanent person for the job, the administration said on Wednesday (Aug 16).

However temporary it is, it was the latest reshuffling in the White House and comes at a time when the President’s remarks on white supremacists were drawing fire from Democrats and Republicans. The role of communications director is to set a clear and direct message coming from the White House each day.

Ms Hicks, 28, is already considered one of the most important people in the President’s communications orbit and has the most sway over who in the media gets interviews with the President. Her current title is director of strategic communications.

Ms Hicks was a spokesperson for Mr Trump during his presidential campaign and at the Trump Organization.

She is close to the President, and also close to Mr Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

Ms Hicks, who grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, will temporarily fill the vacancy left by Nr Anthony Scaramucci. Unlike Mr Scaramucci, who kept a high profile during his 10 days in the position, Ms Hicks has long been a hidden hand, staying behind the scenes and outlasting other administration staff members.

She knows Mr Trump’s rhythms, and he views her as one of the few people around him truly looking out for his interests, not tending her own image.

Ms Hicks is also keenly aware that Mr Trump is, ultimately, his own communications director.

For his part, Mr Scaramucci expressed his support for Ms Hicks on Twitter.

“Hope is a terrific person and will do a great job. Wishing her the best,” Mr Scaramucci wrote. THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

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