News of Spicer’s resignation quickly drew reactions from lawmakers and celebrities alike on social media.
Sean Spicer resigned as White House press secretary today, and members of the Trump administration, lawmakers, celebrities and Spicer himself quickly took to Twitter to comment on the move.
Spicer called it “an honor and a privilege” to serve the president and said he would stay on through August.
It’s been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August
President Trump made a statement thanking Spicer for his service, which was read by the new White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of the administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to other opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings. Sean will continue to serve the administration through August, ” the statement read.
Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, said of Spicer: “he’s a military serviceman, he’s got a great family, and he’s done a great job, ” adding that “this is a difficult situation to be in and I applaud his efforts.”
For her part, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, tweeted: “Big Respect. Wishing colleague & patriot @PressSec Sean Spicer all BEST, ” before welcoming Scaramucci to the West Wing.
Big Respect. Wishing colleague & patriot @PressSec Sean Spicer all BEST. Welcoming @SHSanders45 to the podium & @Scaramucci to West Wing. https: //t.co/C7w9CB9S65
California Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democrat and outspoken critic of the Trump administration, was quick to jump on the news.
“Congratulations Sean Spicer, ” Waters tweeted. “You’ ve got more guts than [Attorney General] Jeff Sessions!”
Congratulations Sean Spicer. You’ve got more guts than Jeff Sessions!
Comedians weighed in on Twitter, too.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel wrote, “Dear Sean Spicer, Please write a book. Immediately.”
Dear @SeanSpicer Please write a book. Immediately.
Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show” on CBS, chimed in, too. “The fact is, Sean Spicer had the largest group ever to attend a going away party. Period, ” Colbert tweeted.
The fact is, Sean Spicer had the largest group ever to attend a going away party. Period.
Others lamented that Spicer’s departure from the White House meant actress Melissa McCarthy would no longer have the chance to parody him on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
. @melissamccarthy must also be out of her SNL job. Well, we’ll always have Youtube.
Actor George Takei kept his message short and sweet, tweeting: “Spicey out.”
Spicey out. pic.twitter.com/e4ZNgMZjms
Some were already suggesting replacements to fill Spicer’s role.
. @ChrisChristie for White House Press Secretary
Prominent Black Lives Matter activist Deray Mckesson took Spicer’s resignation as an opportunity to address the Trump team, tweeting, “It was clear that Sean Spicer was in over his head from the beginning, just like the entire administration.”
It was clear that Sean Spicer was in over his head from the beginning, just like the entire administration.
Others suggested they sympathized with Spicer.
David Axelrod, an Obama administration senior adviser, tweeted that Spicer “was in an impossible position from the start, trying to make sense of the nonsensical.”
. @PressSec was in an impossible position from the start, trying to make sense of the nonsensical.1/2
Chandler Thornton, national chairman of the College Republicans National Committee, tweeted that Spicer “has been one of the strongest and most effective advocates” for Trump, adding that he is “grateful for his service in the WH.”
. @seanspicer has been one of the strongest and most effective advocates for @POTUS, and previously @GOP. Grateful for his service in the WH. https: //t.co/bx552ynQKa
ABC News’ Veronica Stracqualursi and Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.
