White House shake up as Trump press secretary Sean Spicer quits

White House press secretary Sean Spicer has resigned from his post following a gaffe-filled term in the difficult job.

Spicer handed in his resignation after President Donald Trump announced he had appointed New York financier Anthony Scaramucci to the role of communications director.

Spicer reportedly “vehemently disagreed” with Trump’s decision to hire Scaramucci and told CNN he resigned because “he wanted to give the president and the new team a clean slate”.

It's been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August

— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) July 21, 2017

Spicer has been ridiculed by the world’s media since his first day on the job when he tried to convince reporters Trump’s inauguration crowd was bigger than Barack Obamas.

Only a few months later he was lambasted for comparing Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to Adolf Hitler and claiming that Hitler didn’t “gas his own people” as bad as Assad had.

He then incorrectly referred to concentration camps as “Holocaust centres”.

Read more: Ouch! Bette Midler aims very snide fat joke at key Trump aide

Comedians will now doubt be disappointed to see Spicer go as he has provided plenty of material for them over the past seven months.

Popular late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert has enjoyed soaring ratings ever since Trump took office thanks to his regular take-downs of the president and Spicer.

Read more: Comedians, press make fun of Trump at annual dinner

While Trump has publicly defended Spicer throughout his term, the press secretary face time with the press was gradually reduced over the past few months.

Trump released the following statement on Friday: “I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings. Sean will continue to serve the administration through August.”

Deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will fill the role going forward.

Do you think Spicer was right to resign? What do you think of president Trump?