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Paul Manafort Quits Donald Trump’s Campaign After Tumultuous Run Paul Manafort Quits Donald Trump’s Campaign After Tumultuous Run
(35 minutes later)
Paul Manafort, installed to run Donald J. Trump’s operation after the firing of his original campaign manager, handed in his resignation on Friday, signifying the latest tumult to engulf the candidate, whose standing in the polls has steadily dropped since the Republican Party’s convention in July.Paul Manafort, installed to run Donald J. Trump’s operation after the firing of his original campaign manager, handed in his resignation on Friday, signifying the latest tumult to engulf the candidate, whose standing in the polls has steadily dropped since the Republican Party’s convention in July.
Mr. Manafort left nearly a week after a New York Times report about problems within the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign helped precipitate a leadership shake-up. His departure reflects repeated efforts to steady a campaign that has been frequently roiled by the unpredictable behavior of its tempestuous first-time candidate.Mr. Manafort left nearly a week after a New York Times report about problems within the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign helped precipitate a leadership shake-up. His departure reflects repeated efforts to steady a campaign that has been frequently roiled by the unpredictable behavior of its tempestuous first-time candidate.
Mr. Manafort was also dogged by reports about secretive efforts he made to help the former pro-Russian government in Ukraine, where he has worked on and off over several years. Those news reports were blotting out much of the press coverage of the candidate this week. And they contributed to Mr. Manafort becoming viewed with trepidation by Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and a major force within the campaign, particularly after a number of false starts since the Republican National Convention, according to three people briefed on the matter. Mr. Manafort was also dogged by reports about secretive efforts he made to help the former pro-Russian government in Ukraine, where he has worked on and off over several years. Those news reports were blotting out much of the news coverage of the candidate this week. And they contributed to Mr. Manafort becoming viewed with trepidation by Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and a major force within the campaign, particularly after a number of false starts since the Republican National Convention, according to three people briefed on the matter.
“This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign,” Mr. Trump said in a statement. “I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.”“This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign,” Mr. Trump said in a statement. “I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.”
Mr. Manafort, a veteran strategist who had managed Republican nominating conventions in the past, was hired by the campaign in late March, as Mr. Trump was facing a protracted delegate slog in his effort to capture the Republican nomination. When he joined the campaign, he was seen as a peer to Mr. Trump, 70, and someone whose advice Mr. Trump might heed. In fact, Mr. Manafort had pushed for the selection of Mike Pence, the Republican governor of Indiana, as Mr. Trump’s running mate. Mr. Manafort, a veteran strategist who had managed Republican nominating conventions in the past, was hired by the campaign in late March, as Mr. Trump was facing a protracted delegate fight in his effort to capture the Republican nomination. When he joined the campaign, he was seen as a peer to Mr. Trump, 70, and someone whose advice Mr. Trump might heed. In fact, Mr. Manafort had pushed for the selection of Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, as Mr. Trump’s running mate.
But until this week, the role of campaign manager had remained empty since the June ouster of Corey Lewandowski, who played into Mr. Trump’s most aggressive instincts and with whom the candidate had a level of chemistry that he never forged with Mr. Manafort, according to several advisers who witnessed them interact. Mr. Trump has continued to seek out the advice of Mr. Lewandowski, a fierce rival of Mr. Manafort, since the aide’s departure from the campaign.But until this week, the role of campaign manager had remained empty since the June ouster of Corey Lewandowski, who played into Mr. Trump’s most aggressive instincts and with whom the candidate had a level of chemistry that he never forged with Mr. Manafort, according to several advisers who witnessed them interact. Mr. Trump has continued to seek out the advice of Mr. Lewandowski, a fierce rival of Mr. Manafort, since the aide’s departure from the campaign.
Since the convention in Cleveland, Mr. Trump has engaged in a series of self-defeating battles, including belittling the mother of a Muslim soldier who was killed in Iraq and threatening to withhold an endorsement from House Speaker Paul D. Ryan. Aides have tried a range of efforts to reign in his impulses, including adding different travel companions. Since the convention in Cleveland, Mr. Trump has engaged in a series of self-defeating battles, including belittling the mother of a Muslim soldier who was killed in Iraq and threatening to withhold an endorsement from Speaker Paul D. Ryan. Aides have tried a range of efforts to rein in his impulses, including adding different travel companions.
Mr. Manafort ended up taking over the campaign two months ago after Mr. Lewandowski was fired when he became a distraction to the candidate over a string of high-profile fights.Mr. Manafort ended up taking over the campaign two months ago after Mr. Lewandowski was fired when he became a distraction to the candidate over a string of high-profile fights.
Mr. Manafort’s deputy, Rick Gates, is expected to remain on the campaign, for now, the people briefed on the matter said. Mr. Manafort’s friends said privately that he urged core staff members he brought on to remain with the campaign. Jason Miller, a spokesman for Mr. Trump, wrote on Twitter Friday afternoon that Rick Gates, Mr. Manafort’s deputy, would leave New York for Washington, where he would serve as “the campaign’s liaison to the R.N.C.” Mr. Manafort’s friends said privately that he had urged core staff members whom he brought on to stay on the campaign.
Last weekend, Mr. Trump decided to install Stephen K. Bannon as his chief executive officer and Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser, as the new campaign manager. That followed an emergency meeting called after the Times article last weekend on the frequent and stymied efforts by Mr. Trump’s top advisers to curtail his pugilistic instincts. Mr. Ailes was present in New Jersey as the hastily called campaign meeting took place, and he is expected to play a role behind the scenes, including discussing debates with him. Last weekend, Mr. Trump decided to install Stephen K. Bannon as his chief executive and Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser, as the new campaign manager. That followed an emergency meeting called after the Times article last weekend on the frequent and stymied efforts by Mr. Trump’s top advisers to curtail his pugilistic instincts. Roger Ailes, the recently departed Fox News chairman, was present in New Jersey as the hastily called campaign meeting took place, and he is expected to play a role behind the scenes, including discussing debates with Mr. Trump.
The announced staff moves were widely seen as a step toward sidelining Mr. Manafort, but he and other Trump officials initially said that he would remain at the campaign. The announced staff moves were widely seen as a step toward sidelining Mr. Manafort, but he and other Trump officials initially said that he would remain with the campaign.
But it remains to be seen who will step into the role of chief strategist for the final 11 weeks of an effort that hasn’t held a poll lead since before the Republican convention, although his current campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, was seen as the likeliest choice. But it remains to be seen who will step into the role of chief strategist for the final 11 weeks of a campaign that hasn’t held a poll lead since before the Republican convention, although his new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, was seen as the likeliest choice.
After a primary season in which crucial organizational elements were left untended, the campaign is still struggling to ramp up against the operational behemoth of Hillary Clinton’s campaign.After a primary season in which crucial organizational elements were left untended, the campaign is still struggling to ramp up against the operational behemoth of Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Mr. Manafort is the second top Trump aide to be eased out in the last two months. Mr. Trump’s first campaign manager, Mr. Lewandowski, was dismissed in June after he repeatedly clashed with the candidate’s children and failed to prepare for a delegate slog against hardened opposition within the Republican Party.Mr. Manafort is the second top Trump aide to be eased out in the last two months. Mr. Trump’s first campaign manager, Mr. Lewandowski, was dismissed in June after he repeatedly clashed with the candidate’s children and failed to prepare for a delegate slog against hardened opposition within the Republican Party.
Mr. Trump’s aides wanted to put out word of Mr. Manafort’s resignation on Friday morning, before he landed in flood-ravaged Louisiana. But even after releasing a statement, by noon, as Mr. Trump toured Baton Rouge, his campaign had not held a conference call with staff members to inform them of the change. Mr. Trump’s aides wanted to put out word of Mr. Manafort’s resignation on Friday morning, before the candidate landed in flood-ravaged Louisiana. But even after releasing a statement, by noon, as Mr. Trump toured Baton Rouge, his campaign had not held a conference call with staff members to inform them of the change.
The latest turmoil comes as Mr. Trump has been trying to reset his campaign after a disastrous stretch in which he committed a series of self-inflicted wounds. The often-improvisational candidate has given three speeches this week in which he largely followed a script, began airing his first television ads on Friday and has mostly targeted Mrs. Clinton while refraining from attacking other Republicans. Mr. Trump, who has long resisted apologizing for any misstep, even said in a Thursday night speech that he regretted some of comments he had made. The latest turmoil comes as Mr. Trump has been trying to reset his campaign after a disastrous stretch in which he committed a series of self-inflicted wounds. The often-improvisational candidate has given three speeches this week in which he largely followed a script, began airing his first television ads on Friday and has mostly targeted Mrs. Clinton while refraining from attacking other Republicans. Mr. Trump, who has long resisted apologizing for any misstep, even said in a speech on Thursday night that he regretted some of comments he had made.
But Mr. Trump’s renewed effort to impose a measure of professionalism on his campaign was obscured by a near-daily stream of stories detailing Mr. Manafort’s compensation from and advocacy for Viktor Yanukovych, the former Ukranian president and ally of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.But Mr. Trump’s renewed effort to impose a measure of professionalism on his campaign was obscured by a near-daily stream of stories detailing Mr. Manafort’s compensation from and advocacy for Viktor Yanukovych, the former Ukranian president and ally of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
It had become clear to Mr. Manafort last weekend, as Mr. Trump excoriated him over a Times story describing the candidate’s and campaign’s dysfunction, that the pending stories about his work in Ukraine would make remaining on difficult, according to three people briefed on this thinking at the time.It had become clear to Mr. Manafort last weekend, as Mr. Trump excoriated him over a Times story describing the candidate’s and campaign’s dysfunction, that the pending stories about his work in Ukraine would make remaining on difficult, according to three people briefed on this thinking at the time.
Mr. Trump was informed about the latest reporting — an Associated Press article citing emails that showed Mr. Manafort’s firm had orchestrated a pro-Ukrainian Washington lobbying campaign without registering as a foreign agent — in North Carolina on Thursday night. That was enough to prompt Mr. Trump to telephone Mr. Bannon and suggest it was time for Mr. Manafort to go, according to a Republican briefed on the exchange.Mr. Trump was informed about the latest reporting — an Associated Press article citing emails that showed Mr. Manafort’s firm had orchestrated a pro-Ukrainian Washington lobbying campaign without registering as a foreign agent — in North Carolina on Thursday night. That was enough to prompt Mr. Trump to telephone Mr. Bannon and suggest it was time for Mr. Manafort to go, according to a Republican briefed on the exchange.
“The easiest way for Trump to sidestep the whole Ukraine story is for Manafort not to be there,” said Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who has become a counselor to Mr. Trump.“The easiest way for Trump to sidestep the whole Ukraine story is for Manafort not to be there,” said Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who has become a counselor to Mr. Trump.
Yet Mr. Trump’s dissatisfaction with Mr. Manafort began before the drumbeat of stories about the operative’s Ukranian work, with the Times account, published online last Saturday, of the candidate’s struggles to remain on message despite repeated interventions from advisers and allies.Yet Mr. Trump’s dissatisfaction with Mr. Manafort began before the drumbeat of stories about the operative’s Ukranian work, with the Times account, published online last Saturday, of the candidate’s struggles to remain on message despite repeated interventions from advisers and allies.
The next day, Mr. Trump met with Roger Ailes, the recently deposed Fox News chairman, in Bedminster, N.J. Mr. Ailes urged him to shake up the campaign, according to a Republican briefed on the meeting. Mr. Ailes, a former Republican strategist and ad man who has become a trusted adviser to Mr. Trump since his ouster, had reviewed some of the initial television commercials Mr. Manafort had overseen and told Mr. Trump in blunt terms that they were lackluster. The next day, Mr. Trump met with Mr. Ailes in Bedminster, N.J., and Mr. Ailes urged him to shake up the campaign, according to a Republican briefed on the meeting. Mr. Ailes, a former Republican strategist and ad man who has become a trusted adviser to Mr. Trump since his ouster, had reviewed some of the initial television commercials Mr. Manafort had overseen and told Mr. Trump in blunt terms that they were lackluster.
Thomas Barrack, a financier and friend of Mr. Trump who helped bring Mr. Manafort into the campaign, expressed regret about the turn of events involving Mr. Manafort.Thomas Barrack, a financier and friend of Mr. Trump who helped bring Mr. Manafort into the campaign, expressed regret about the turn of events involving Mr. Manafort.
“I’ve known him since we were in college, he’s a first-class person, he’s an amazing individual and he has been the lead architect in trying to seamlessly put together the institutional side of this campaign,” Mr. Barrack said in an interview. “I think the architecture he put together will continue to serve the campaign well, but I’m sorry to see him go.”“I’ve known him since we were in college, he’s a first-class person, he’s an amazing individual and he has been the lead architect in trying to seamlessly put together the institutional side of this campaign,” Mr. Barrack said in an interview. “I think the architecture he put together will continue to serve the campaign well, but I’m sorry to see him go.”
After he was hired by Mr. Trump, Mr. Manafort helped quash uprisings among Republican delegates that, even if they wouldn’t imperil Mr. Trump’s ability to get the nomination, would have been an embarrassing distraction at the convention.After he was hired by Mr. Trump, Mr. Manafort helped quash uprisings among Republican delegates that, even if they wouldn’t imperil Mr. Trump’s ability to get the nomination, would have been an embarrassing distraction at the convention.
In an interview with Fox News, Eric Trump, the candidate’s second-oldest son, appeared to acknowledge that Mr. Manafort did not entirely leave on his own.In an interview with Fox News, Eric Trump, the candidate’s second-oldest son, appeared to acknowledge that Mr. Manafort did not entirely leave on his own.
“My father just didn’t want to have the distraction looming over the campaign and quite frankly looming over all the issues that Hillary’s facing right now,” Eric Trump said.“My father just didn’t want to have the distraction looming over the campaign and quite frankly looming over all the issues that Hillary’s facing right now,” Eric Trump said.