The publication of a bizarre and expletive-laden rant by White House Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci has prompted fresh questions over chaos in the White House.

In comments published in the New Yorker on Thursday, Mr Scaramucci called a senior colleague a "paranoid schizophrenic" and threatened to "eliminate everyone" in his communications team.

"I'm not Steve Bannon," he continued. "I'm not trying to suck my own c***".

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The slur seeks to imply Mr Bannon places his own interests before those of the White House.


Mr Scaramucci insisted that he, in contrast, was not trying to build his "own brand off the f***ing strength of the President".

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Mr Scaramucci delivered the diatribe after phoning reporter Ryan Lizza on Wednesday night. He had contacted him to demand he reveal the source of information tweeted about a dinner between President Trump, media figures and himself.

The newly-appointed Director of Communications is believed to have an intense rivalry with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Sean Spicer, who resigned as Press Secretary when Mr Scaramucci was hired by Mr Trump one week ago.

During much of the phone call he focused on his conviction that Mr Priebus had "c***-blocked" and orchestrated leaks against him.

"C***-blocking" generally refers to attempts to prevent someone making sexual advances, but in this case Mr Scaramucci appears to be accusing Mr Priebus of obstructing his success in Mr Trump's White House administration.

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As the conversation continued Mr Scaramucci's tone became more aggressive, and he began referring to himself in the third person as "the Mooch", suggesting he had "nailed" his colleagues for what he believed to be potentially unlawful behaviour.

The publication of the comments on Thursday prompted a mixed reaction from Republicans and shocked glee on Twitter.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Mr Scaramucci had "used some colourful language" but added she did not expect a repeat performance.

Image: Mr Scaramucci tweeted that his mistake was 'trusting in a reporter'

Mr Scaramucci tweeted on Thursday evening that he "made a mistake in trusting in a reporter", adding "it won't happen again".

Mr Lizza had noted that Mr Scaramucci initiated the call with him and had not requested that his words remain off-the-record.

Despite being the White House's new Director of Communications Mr Scaramucci does not have substantial experience as a political spokesperson. He founded a hedge fund before joining the Trump administration.