Dan Scavino criticizes former staffers, sparks internal conflict at White House

Dan Scavino, the White House deputy chief of staff, posted a scathing message on X on Tuesday, calling out former staffers who were fired or passed over for promotions. In the post, Scavino told the disgruntled employees to stop attacking the administration in the media and to “take the L.” He used profanity, describing their work as a “spectacularly s‑‑‑ty job.” The tweet was aimed at a group of former aides who had recently left the White House after disagreements with senior officials.

The post comes amid a wave of staff turnover in Washington this year. In the past 12 months, the White House has let go more than 40 employees, including senior advisers and communications staff. Many of those departures followed clashes over policy messaging or media strategy. Scavino, who joined the staff in 2022 and rose to become a key adviser on messaging, has been known to speak candidly about internal politics. His comment reflects the administration’s frustration with what it sees as a growing chorus of criticism from former insiders, many of whom have taken to social media to voice their grievances.

Reactions to the tweet were swift. Some former staffers condemned the tone, calling it unprofessional and a sign that the White House is unwilling to engage in constructive debate. A former senior aide who was let go last month said the message “felt like a personal attack rather than a professional critique.” Democratic lawmakers echoed the criticism, urging the administration to address staff grievances through formal channels. Supporters of the White House, however, praised Scavino’s bluntness, saying it kept the administration’s message focused and prevented “noise” from undermining policy goals.

The administration is expected to respond in the coming days. White House spokespersons have not yet issued a statement, but insiders say a formal review of the recent firings may be underway. The incident could influence the administration’s approach to staff retention and public messaging. If the White House continues to rely on social media to address internal disputes, it may face increased scrutiny from both the media and the public about how it treats its employees.