Sean Spicer faced an increasingly rare on-camera briefing Tuesday as Steve Bannon said the press secretary was on television less often because he "got fatter".

It came as Mr Spicer was understood to be headed for a less visible but more senior communications role within the White House. He was said to be looking for his own replacement as press secretary.

On Monday US media organisations including CNN objected as Mr Spicer, not for the first time, barred TV and audio recording of a briefing.

Asked by the Atlantic why cameras were being banned Mr Bannon, the White House chief strategist, replied in a text message: "Sean got fatter."