Fox (NASDAQ: FOXA) is to hire former Donald Trump aide as the group’s new chief communications officer.

Hope Hicks will join Murdoch’s media empire after resigning from Trump’s administration earlier this year.

Hicks will be the executive vice-president and chief communications officer for the group that runs Fox News, Fox Sports and Fox’s broadcast networks.

The media empire is the US President’s favourite cable channel.

The announcement of Hicks’ new role at Fox also came with the announcement that Danny O’Brien will take on the role of FOX EVP and Head of Government Relations.

O’Brien is currently at General Electric, where he serves as senior government affairs and policy executive.

“Hope and Danny are proven leaders and world-class public affairs professionals. Together they will define and project Fox’s voice to our relevant communities,” said Viet Dinh, the company’s chief legal and policy officer.

The news comes close to the Disney (NYSE: DIS) transaction, which is expected to close during the first half of 2019.

“One of the most exciting aspects of our Fox acquisition is that it will allow us to greatly accelerate our direct-to-consumer strategy,” said Robert Iger, Disney’s chief executive when he announced the deal.

“We believe creating a direct-to-consumer relationship is vital to the future of our media businesses, and it’s our highest priority.”