As America’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo usually gives TV interviews to talk about serious subjects: the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons or on what the president wants to do about Russia, NATO or the Middle East.
But sometimes, even a hardened politico and former CIA director wants to show a more friendly, relatable side. For that purpose, Pompeo got some help from a former Trump administration colleague: Sean Spicer.
Spicer, the oft-embattled former White House press secretary, has a new gig as a “special correspondent” for syndicated newsmagazine “Extra.” As part of his new mainstream media assignment, Spicer met up with Pompeo and his wife, Susan, at their Washington D.C., home to offer a glimpse of the secretary’s “personal life”
As Mike and Susan Pompeo stood outside, dressed casually for a walk with dog Sherman, they let Spicer quiz them about the “crazy ride” they’ve been on since moving to Washington when Mike Pompeo, a former Kansas congressman, was named CIA director in 2017.
In the interview that aired Wednesday, Spicer also grilled the self-described movie buffs about which film they hope will win best picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday. Susan Pompeo revealed that her husband “adores Queen, so we saw ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ the first weekend and ‘A Star is Born.'”
But Spicer pushed some more, asking Mike Pompeo which film should take home the gold trophy.
The secretary answered: “Gosh, I loved ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.'”
So, there you go. If Pompeo has his way, “Bohemian Rhapsody” will win the Oscar — over more critically praised films such as “Roma,” “Black KkKlansman,” “Black Panther” or “A Star is Born.”
Meanwhile, Spicer’s interview with Pompeo marks his latest effort to establish a post-White House career, Vanity Fair reported. For “Extra,” Spicer will present a special series that focuses on the personal lives of D.C. insiders, including friendly interviews with some of his former Trump administration colleagues, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Spicer’s interview with presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway and her children was scheduled to air Thursday; his chat with his successor, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and her husband, Bryan, should air Friday, the Hollywood Reporter said.
Here is my full interview on @extratv with @StateDept @SecPompeo and his wife Susan. Tonight, I talk with @KellyannePolls and Friday @PressSec @SarahHuckabee #extratv #seanspicer #MikePompeo #pompeo #kellyanneconway #whitehouse #sarahsanders https://t.co/Y4fXHdiNuP
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) February 21, 2019
“Obviously, we started in my wheelhouse of Republicans, but we hope to make this bipartisan and to offer people an opportunity and a platform to give people a better understanding of who they are as people,” Spicer told the Hollywood Reporter.
As Vanity Fair and other outlets have said, Spicer has somewhat struggled to find his full-time footing. He tried to cash in by writing a tell-all book, “The Briefing,” which he said would “set the record” straight about his rocky tenure as Trump’s first White House secretary, Vanity Fair and the Washington Post said. As Trump’s spokesman, Spicer famously sparred with reporters and falsely inflated crowd numbers for the president’s inauguration.
Spicer turned down another TV gig, “Dancing with the Stars,” reportedly because he was too busy, added Vanity Fair.
But actually, Spicer appears to have a day job, according to his Twitter account and to an announcement that came out in June. The America First Action Super PAC announced that Spicer was joining their organization as a senior adviser and spokesman. America First Action is dedicated to electing federal candidates who support Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda.
In working for American First Action, he has become a colleague of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former Fox News host who is dating Donald Trump Jr. and who is America First Action’s vice chair.
“Sean Spicer is one of the most well-known and well-respected political insiders of our time,” Brian O. Walsh, president of America First Action, said in a news release. “Only a select few will ever fully understand the pressure, privilege, and responsibility that come with standing at the Presidential press podium. Sean’s unparalleled political experience, communications savvy, and strong commitment to this administration’s agenda make him an invaluable addition to our organization.”
