White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned on Friday (21 July) after US President Donald Trump hired Wall Street financier, Anthony Scaramucci, as his new communications director. The president asked Spicer to stay on as press secretary after he hired Scaramucci, but Spicer declined to do so, the New York Times reported.

Spicer also reportedly told Trump that hiring Scaramucci was a major mistake. He confirmed his resignation on Twitter saying he it was "an honour & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country". He said he will remain in his post through August.

Twitter immediately erupted with a number of memes, jokes and bittersweet comments in response to the resignation.

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While some sympathised with Spicer, others celebrated and poked fun at the former press secretary saying: "We'll always have those six months of you lying to us every single day."

Journalist Jules Suzdaltsev tweeted: "He always had a 'gotta do what you gotta do' kind of vibe."

"Plus it was really fun watching him repeat whatever lie [Trump] told him, and then do impressive mental acrobatics to answer questions about it!" he continued. "Honestly, I couldn't have done it, and he did it every damn week. I don't respect the lies, but I respect the hell out of the man."

Tony Award-winner Bette Midler tweeted: "But who can blame Sean Spicer? It was the most horrible job in the world!! He was defending the indefensible! With never a kind word!"

Many social media users also mourned the loss of Melissa McCarthy's hilarious "Spicey" impressions on Saturday Night Live.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill tweeted: "I'm as honked off at Sean Spicer for depriving us of any more Melissa McCarthy sketches as I am at OJ for ruining the Naked Gun movies."

Some Twitter users speculated about Spicer's future plans urging the former press secretary to write a tell-all book.

"Can't wait to read Sean Spicer's tell all book, 500 pages of blank tear stained paper," one Twitter user wrote. Another tweeted: "Working title: I Didn't Even Get To Meet The Pope For This."

One person predicted: "Calling it now, Sean Spicer's tell all book 'The Art of Lying' outsells Trump's 'The Art of the Deal' in one month."

Actor Zach Braff chimed: "Can't wait to see Sean Spicer waltz on Dancing With the Stars."

Sean Spicer wire-tapping
Press Secretary Sean Spicer making air quotes as he defends President Donald Trump's wire-tapping claims. Reuters
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