White House snubs Azar, installs conspiracy theorist as HHS spokesperson

[RandySF]

The White House is installing Trump campaign veteran Michael Caputo in the health department’s top communications position, Caputo confirmed to POLITICO.

The move is designed to assert more White House control over Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, whom officials believe has been behind recent critical reports about President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to two officials with knowledge of the move.

Caputo, whose title will be assistant secretary of HHS for public affairs, said in a text message, “I am honored to serve the President to the best of my abilities in this time of crisis and, in so doing, the American people.”

Caputo is an intense Trump loyalist whose recent book “The Ukraine Hoax,” alleged a conspiracy behind Trump’s impeachment.



https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/15/michael-caputo-azar-hhs-189046

[pbmus]

1. Payback...

‘Caputo lived and worked in Russia in the 1990s and later did business with Russian companies, including Gazprom, the Kremlin-controlled energy giant. As a Republican consultant, Caputo worked with Trump adviser Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman. He denies any wrongdoing regarding Russia. Caputo is a longtime ally of Stone's, a close associate of Trump who has come under scrutiny in the Russian investigation because of Stone's contacts with WikiLeaks during the campaign.
Caputo was interviewed behind closed doors on Tuesday as part of the Senate Intelligence committee's investigation. He was also interviewed last year by the House Intelligence Committee.
Following the Senate meeting, Caputo passionately criticized the panel, charging that the probe has cost him $125,000 and is forcing him to move from the Buffalo area in order to pay off legal bills.
"Your investigation and others into the allegations of Trump campaign collusion with Russia are costing my family a great deal of money -- more than $125,000 -- and making a visceral impact on my children," Caputo said in a prepared statement that he delivered at the end of the Senate interview, which was provided to CNN.
"Forget about all the death threats against my family. I want to know who cost us so much money, who crushed our kids, who forced us out of our home, all because you lost an election," he added, concluding with, "I want to know because God Damn you to Hell."
Caputo and other Trump associates have hired attorneys to deal with the various Russia investigations in Congress and by special counsel Mueller, often at a high price tag.’

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/02/politics/michael-caputo-mueller-investigator/index.html

[crickets]

2. Wow. nt