KATY TUR (HOST): Sean Hannity, he's wrapped up in this. Michael Cohen is representing him, he says very limitedly in real estate dealings. The Washington Post is reporting that he's like the de facto, the unofficial chief of staff, that he has a – basically has a desk in the White House. He's Donald Trump's mainline adviser. How much influence does he have? 

ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI (FORMER WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR): So that's one of the things I don't like about Washington. So there's somebody unnamed saying he basically has a desk in the White House. 

TUR: Well, he goes on television and says he talks to the president. He –

SCARAMUCCI: OK, but, Katy, it’s a little bit of a –

TUR: No but he's the one that goes on TV and says I've talked to the president and here's what I've told the president to do.

SCARAMUCCI: I don't know this guy Ron Kessler. You know this guy? He said I was the dumbest hire in White House history. 

TUR: I'm not talking about Ron Kessler either. I'm talking about Sean Hannity.

SCARAMUCCI: No but I want to make a point, I want to make a point. he said I was the dumbest hire in White House history. I love the fact that he put his name on it. Who said that to The Washington Post? OK, and then you'll figure out who the president's enemies are. 

TUR: Sean Hannity himself describes his relationship with Donald Trump as very close.

SCARAMUCCI: He is. He's very close.

TUR: That he talks to him all the time. 

SCARAMUCCI: They are. They're close, I've seen their closeness.

TUR: They have dinner together. 

SCARAMUCCI: They have dinner together. They talk on the phone. You know what? Sean is very outspoken about that on his show. He's got a very popular show, by the way. And he's very honest. He's very up front about it. Sean is one of my best friends. OK? So what am I going to do? I’m going to say something bad about Sean?

TUR: I'm not asking you to say something bad about Sean, but I’m asking you to -- hold on.

SCARAMUCCI: No, no, let me finish. These guys in the White House should put their names on these stories. 

TUR: Sean Hannity himself is saying this. Put your relationship with him to the side. Just put your relationship --

SCARAMUCCI: I'm glad you're not prosecuting me, like in a real court.

TUR: OK -- with him to the side for a second, and say, just as a regular American citizen, are you comfortable with a cable news host having that much influence with the president of the United States? 

SCARAMUCCI: I am. And so when I'm a cable news host and you're the president, I hope we have that sort of relationship dynamic. 

Related:

Wash. Post: Hannity’s rising role in Trump’s world: ‘He basically has a desk in the place’

Previously:

Sean Hannity: I talk to Trump and know he watches my show

Sean Hannity brought his propaganda to Fox & Friends and Donald Trump was thrilled

Sean Hannity: “I was actively involved” in the Trump campaign

Report: Sean Hannity has been advising Trump on Nunes memo

Fox & Friends downplays Sean Hannity's relationship with Trump lawyer Michael Cohen

The right-wing media figures defending Sean Hannity’s relationship with Michael Cohen