He tried to dance. He wore a floofy neon top. And for eight weeks, Sean Spicer withstood the mockery on social media and the icy commentary from unimpressed judges on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Finally, on Monday, not even President Trump’s support could save Mr. Spicer. The former White House press secretary was eliminated from the reality show, ending what somehow counts as a chapter in American politics.
“I’ve loved being on this show, thank you for making me part of it,” Mr. Spicer said after being eliminated.
He clearly had a lot of fans, as evidenced by his remaining on the show into the final six contestants even after judges expressed dissatisfaction with his skills. But from the day he was announced as a contestant in August to his elimination on Monday, Mr. Spicer’s presence on the show grated on two groups of viewers: Those unforgiving of his stint as a White House spokesman, and those who like to watch good dancing.
On the dancing front, he won over few admirers. The judges routinely criticized his performances and seemed to lose patience with fans voting to keep him around over more qualified contestants. His time on the show may be remembered mostly for the jet-engine-loud, lime-green shirt that he wore during the season premiere in September.
“He’s as stiff and two-dimensional as a sheet of cardboard, with feet that move as if stuck in slabs of cement and arms that look like they’re still gripping the lectern,” Gia Kourlas, the dance critic for The New York Times, wrote last week.
On the political front, many viewers and commentators had little desire to rehabilitate the image of an official whom they saw as a mouthpiece for the Trump administration’s dishonesty.
Still, Mr. Spicer appeared to relish the experience. His time on the show was supported by Mr. Trump, who on multiple occasions urged his vast number of Twitter followers to vote for the administration loyalist.
Mr. Trump deleted a tweet, sent before the episode aired on Monday, campaigning for Mr. Spicer to stay on the show, then sent a congratulatory message after his elimination.
After a night that included an Argentine tango to “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child and a foxtrot to “Story of My Life” by One Direction, Mr. Spicer’s time came to an end. He was among the bottom two contestants in votes from viewers, and the judges chose to send him home.
“I really thank you,” said Bruno Tonioli, one of the judges. “You’ve been such a good sport, you’ve been really entertaining.”