Cliff Sims served in President Donald Trump’s administration for just 500 days, and now he’s telling all about it — and revealing where he truly finds his identity.
In his new tell-all book, “Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House,” Sims recounts his experience in the Republican administration, chronicling his relationship with Trump and other White House officials as well as reflecting on his own actions.
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Sims said during an interview on “Good Morning America” that he “was a viper” during his time as a special assistant to the president. He said he “did a bunch of things that I wish I would’ve done different.”
FULL @ABC EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Former White House aide Cliff Sims talks new book, “Team of Vipers.” https://t.co/W1vUNMab63 pic.twitter.com/XK9BKqGZF3
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 28, 2019
As part of his media blitz following the release of his new memoir, the former Trump official joined the co-hosts of “The View” Monday morning, where he was quizzed on his book and asked how he would respond if Trump — who places a premium on loyalty — took to Twitter to scold him in his characteristically ruthless style.
Surprisingly, Sims told co-host Sunny Hostin he would walk away unscathed from Trump’s attacks, noting — unlike many in Washington, D.C. — his identity isn’t wrapped up in personal accomplishments and political clout.
Instead, Sims explained, his identity is in his faith. Specifically, it’s in Jesus.
“In Washington, D.C. — and in New York, too — people’s identity gets wrapped up in their job and what they do,” Sims said. “My identity is wrapped up in my faith and who Jesus says I am. So no matter what anyone says — on the record, off the record, on background — about me, I know who I am.”
Moments later, seemingly hoping to get Sims to disparage Trump, something he carefully worked to avoid, Hostin pressed the former White House aide on the president’s fitness to serve as commander-in-chief.
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While he had many disagreements with Trump’s rhetoric and some of his decisions, Sims would not concede the first-time politician is unfit to sit behind the Resolute desk.
“I think he is fit to serve,” Sims said, as the audience booed. “I can disagree with some of the things he does, while having seen it first hand, and say that he is not unfit. You know what I mean?”
Sims didn’t say whether he would vote for Trump’s re-election in 2020.