Former co-president of Fox News, Bill Shine, is moving his office to the West Wing of the White House, as President Trump asked him to take a high-ranking position in communications. Although the job title is still unknown, the rumor mill has him filling the vacancy left by Hope Hicks, the former communications director who resigned earlier this year.
According to media chatter, insiders hint that Shine has been tasked with keeping the Trump brand barreling through the 2020 presidential election, the liberal media one step behind, and conservative news outlets happy.
Of course, in the current political scenery of nasty Democrats, the selection of Shine has pundits leading with his past relationship to the late Roger Ailes, founder of Fox News, regardless of Shine’s accomplishments.
And they are many.
Shining Star
Shine is not the typical well-connected legacy hire; he’s no Chelsea Clinton. He grew up in Farmingville, New York and attended the State University of New York Oswego, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications. He started his career in a small media market for the local Long Island independent television station, WLIG-TV, owned by the CBS Corporation.
His rising star caught the attention of Fox executives, and Shine was picked up by the brand spanking new Fox News in 1996 as the producer of the Hannity & Colmes show. And yes, he is besties with Sean Hannity.
By 2016 he was anointed co-president alongside Jack Abernethy, only to hand in his resignation nine short months later, adding to the upheaval and chaotic landscape of the media juggernaut in crisis mode over sexual harassment allegations.
Rupert Murdoch, 21st Century Fox chairman, announced Shine’s departure in a memo to employees:
“Sadly, Bill Shine resigned today. I know Bill was respected and liked by everybody at Fox News. We will all miss him. This is a significant day for all at FOX News. Bill has played a huge role in building FOX News to its present position as the nation’s biggest and most important cable channel in the history of the industry. His contribution to our channel and our country will resonate for many years.”
Trump’s Pet Fox
The job of communications director for the president is fraught with so many “x” factors, anyone would find the task daunting. Through the revolving door of the current administration’s media liaisons, we have seen the departure of press secretary Sean Spicer and communications directors Hope Hicks, Mike Dubke, and Anthony Scaramucci.
What is the secret to being an effective member of President Trump’s team? The answer is simple: he has to trust his underlings and they must be loyal to him. How hard can that be? Well, just ask the aforementioned staffers about the toll that this president’s unpredictable style takes in an already stressful role on the national stage.
Shine On
Already, the leftist media is throwing shade on Trump’s latest addition to the presidential family, attempting to add the scandals at Fox News to the list of their perceived crimes against nature. But one does not rise to the top of the nation’s most-watched and respected news network by caving to the views of the rabidly mad elite media. He may be the best match for his new pal, President Trump, moving forward.
Shine’s contribution in his new role at the White House seems likely to resonate until 2020 – and perhaps beyond.”
