Eric Bolling, a former Fox News host, pitched himself to President Donald Trump on Thursday for a job "plugging leaks" at the White House.
The idea that Bolling might join the Trump Administration started on Twitter when the former television personality ruminated on his belief that the leaks emerging from the White House were damaging, not only to the country, but the presidency as well. Bolling suggested that if he were in the West Wing, his number one priority would boil down to establishing a culture of trust: plugging leaks, "publicly" firing "leakers," and hiring individuals who could be trusted.
When every discussion, policy idea, private conversation is leaked to the press, the country suffers immeasurable damage as does your presidency.
-Plug the White House leaks
-Publicly fire the leakers
-Hire people you can trustI would make this priority #1 @realDonaldTrump
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) March 22, 2018
Shortly after Bolling's initial tweet, a reporter for Politico quote tweeted Bolling's job pitch. Jake Sherman noted Bolling was angling for a job in the administration but wouldn't be able to stop leaks as they "happen in every office" in Washington, D.C.
Eric Bolling wants a job in the White House.
… He won’t be able to stop leaks. Leaks happen in every office in town. https://t.co/N7mWltE7JB
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 22, 2018
Sherman further elaborated that his experience "dealing with hundreds of politicians" left him with the impression that adequately preventing leaks was impossible.
all I’m saying is based on my experience in dealing with hundreds of politicians in town — many say this, and none are able to do it.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 22, 2018
Bolling responded to the reporter by arguing "politicians" were the problem because they influenced and encouraged a culture in Washington, D.C. that feeds off leaking. Bolling stated that his experience as a "non-politician," the same experience that led Trump to the White House, could prove beneficial in plugging leaks and draining "the swamp."
Exactly. "Politicians".
That’s what @realDonaldTrump was elected on, in no small part (certainly why I’ve supported him from day 1) being a non-politician DC Swamp outsider.
So get started Mr Trump- plug the leaks, drain the swamp. Full stop. https://t.co/ygEum4dkoq— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) March 22, 2018
Another reporter responded to the back-and-forth by saying he wouldn't be surprised if Bolling was offered a position in the White House at some point in the near future.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if @realDonaldTrump brought in Eric in a senior position some day. https://t.co/TwddnKq1Y6
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) March 22, 2018
In response, Bolling drove home his interest in working for the administration, suggesting he would relish the opportunity to help Trump implement his political agenda. Bolling even stated that he would be willing to "work for a single" U.S. dollar annually provided he was in a position where he would be "working directly" with the leader of the free world, not just "near him."
I’d work for a single US $1 to help drain the swamp, plug the leaks, build the wall with Pesos, lower taxes, build infrastructure, protect #2A and save some parents from the scourge of opioids.
But that would mean working directly with POTUS, not near him. https://t.co/g8QvJt4J2L— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) March 22, 2018
Bolling, who left Fox News under a cloud after accusations of sexual harassment surfaced, has been a supporter of Trump and has lent his voice to the White House's efforts to tackle the opioid crisis. Bolling's son died at the age of 19 last September of an accidental "mixed drug intoxication."
During today's Opioid Summit at the White House, Eric Bolling shared the story of his son who died from an accidental overdose. pic.twitter.com/P0bq6El6nj
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 1, 2018
This is not the first time that Bolling contemplated a political career outside of media. In June of 2017, he expressed interest in running for the U.S. Senate. At the time, Bolling didn't clarify where he would be running for office; however, he did imply that if he was to mount a campaign, it would be to challenge a sitting Republican.