Reprinted with permission from AlterNet.
UPDATE: Since this piece was published, the Yahoo News story it referenced has been changed to remove some of the details cited below. An earlier version of the Yahoo News story can be found here containing the original claims.
Back in June, CBS reported that White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and her deputy Raj Shah were already planning to leave the administration by the end of the year. Sanders never denied the report. But with January just around the corner, no official announcements of their departures have been made, even as other top officials are shown the door or scramble for the exits of their own accord.
So why are they hanging on? According to Yahoo News, Sanders and Shah are struggling to find work elsewhere.
A stunning development, given the low unemployment rate.
Sanders reportedly declined to respond to specific questions about her plans but said she is currently “traveling.”
Yahoo News pointed out that Sarah has all but stopped delivering press briefings. What were once called “daily” briefings have now essentially become “monthly” briefings — with emphasis on the “brief.”
The outlet also observed that Shah has removed the title “deputy white house press secretary” from his Twitter bio.
Meanwhile, it seems the press shop itself has been nearly abandoned. This is not much of surprise — Trump has long considered himself to be his best spokesperson, and he has proven incapable of sticking to any coherent media strategy. And part of the problem, an anonymous source told Yahoo News, is that no one credible wants to work for the White House press office.
“No professional in good standing will even interview for a job,” the source said. “It’s a zombie comms shop. Night of the living dead.”
