In a surprising critique of President Trump’s administration, former communications director Anthony Scaramucci has weighed in on the tumultuous tenure of the current White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia.

Scaramucci, who served a mere ten days in the role under Trump, made his remarks during an interview with MSNBC anchor Katy Tur, where he offered unfiltered advice about Zacharia’s performance.

“If she were my family member, I’d say take a powder on that job,” he declared, expressing doubts about her suitability for the position. Scaramucci believes the current press secretary is struggling to meet the demands that come with communicating on behalf of the controversial president.

High-profile press secretaries for Trump, like Sean Spicer and Kayleigh McEnany, often faced intense scrutiny and pressure. Scaramucci emphasized that the role requires a unique skill set, including a certain comfort with deception.

He elaborated, stating, “You gotta be willing to lie with great enthusiasm,” noting that Spicer often faltered because he was “too Catholic” to convincingly mislead the public.

Scaramucci was unequivocal in his assessment of Zacharia, suggesting she lacks the necessary traits to thrive in such a high-stakes environment. “She doesn’t come across as a good liar to somebody like me,” he said bluntly.

Despite his criticisms, Scaramucci expressed skepticism that the Trump administration would dismiss Zacharia any time soon, pointing out that she had not yet engaged in any actions warranting her termination.

“There’s just so many different reasons why they won’t fire her,” he explained, highlighting that she is mostly following President Trump’s directives.

In recent months, Scaramucci has been increasingly vocal about his views on the Trump presidency, even criticizing the administration’s financial handling. He recently pointed to the staggering $40 trillion budget deficit as evidence of mismanagement.

“This is not apocalyptic. It’s just math,” said Scaramucci, explaining that the implications of such a deficit—especially with rising interest rates—could have catastrophic consequences.

Reflecting on the GOP’s direction since 2012, Scaramucci remarked that he believes Trump shifted the party away from the more inclusive approach it had started to embrace under previous leadership.

”Trump took the party in a completely opposite direction,” he noted, suggesting that the emergence of populism within the party has fundamentally altered its core values.

While Scaramucci’s tenure in the White House may have been brief, his insights into the inner workings of Trump’s administration remain striking as they highlight the challenges faced by those navigating the complexities of communicating for an often unpredictable president.

As the media landscape evolves, the role of the press secretary becomes increasingly critical, particularly in a presidency characterized by hostile relations with the press.

In addition to his critiques, Scaramucci has also taken a reflective stance on his own rapid exit from the Trump orbit, describing it as a “catastrophe” at the time but ultimately a positive turning point in his life.

As discussions about who remains fit for such high-stakes communication roles continue, the spotlight will inevitably remain on Zacharia’s performance and the broader dynamics within Trump’s White House.

This ongoing dialogue raises an important question: what qualities are necessary for success in such a challenging role, and can anyone effectively navigate the stormy waters of operating under Trump?

With Scaramucci’s comments echoing the frustrations of many in and around the Trump administration, one must wonder how this will affect the future of the press secretary position amidst the ongoing complexities of Trump’s governance.