Trump’s new self-proclaimed ‘right-wing nut job’ chief of staff called him a ‘terrible human being’

'Yes I am supporting Donald Trump, I’m doing it as enthusiastically as I can despite the fact that I think he’s a terrible human being'

Donald Trump’s pick to serve as his next chief of staff once referred to the president as a “terrible human being” during a congressional debate one week before he won the White House.

Mick Mulvaney, who the president said Friday would replace White House Chief of Staff John Kelly in January, spoke candidly about his thoughts on then-Republican candidate Mr Trump during a debate against his Democratic opponent in the 2016 South Carolina congressional elections.

A newly-surfaced video from the event shows Mr Mulvaney acknowledging his support for Mr Trump — who won the district against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by more than 20 per cent — while adding that he was only doing so because of his disdain for the Democratic candidate.

“Yes I am supporting Donald Trump, I’m doing it as enthusiastically as I can despite the fact that I think he’s a terrible human being,” he said at the time.

Mr Mulvaney won the race, before being selected by Mr Trump to join his Cabinet as director of the Office of Management and Budget. He is only expected to serve as an “interim” chief of staff, with White House sources telling the Daily Beast he expects to leave soon after being tasked with spearheading daily operations in the West Wing during the New Year.

The Republican official has long-celebrated his deeply conservative ideologies, introducing himself to Mr Trump’s senior economic adviser Gary Cohn by reportedly saying, “Hi, I’m a right-wing nut job.”

In an interview with Politico last year, the budget director said, “I don’t think anyone in this administration is more of a right-wing conservative than I am.”

Mr Trump announced the White House shakeup last week on Twitter, saying Mr Kelly and Mr Mulvaney have served his administration with “distinction” and “outstanding” work respectively.

“I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction,” the president tweeted. “Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.”

He added, “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! John will be staying until the end of the year. He is a GREAT PATRIOT and I want to personally thank him for his service!”

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.