US Elections 2016

Trump fires campaign manager

Mr Lewandowski's relations with many top Republicans were tense.
Mr Lewandowski's relations with many top Republicans were tense. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WASHINGTON • Mr Donald Trump has parted ways with his campaign manager in a move that comes as the presumptive Republican nominee for president faces challenges as he moves towards the election.

"The Donald J. Trump Campaign for President, which has set a historic record in the Republican primary, having received almost 14 million votes, has today announced that Corey Lewandowski will no longer be working with the campaign," campaign spokesman Hope Hicks said in a statement yesterday. "The campaign is grateful to Corey for his hard work and dedication."

Two people briefed on the move said that Mr Lewandowski was let go. He was seen as having a hostile relationship with many members of the national press corps, while many officials on the Republican National Committee also had strained relationships with him.

Mr Lewandowski was also embroiled in an incident in which he was accused of knocking a reporter to the ground. Florida officials investigated the incident but no charges were laid.

Mr Trump has faced increasing concerns from allies and donors, as well as his children, over the next phase of the campaign.

One person briefed on the moves, who asked not to be identified, said the campaign had long planned to make changes and was now focusing on bringing the Republican Party together, including hiring new staff and adjusting to the campaign's needs for the race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

His inner circle has been growing frustrated by what they saw as a lack of coordination and communication, members of Mr Trump's staff told Bloomberg Politics.

Mr Trump's standing has dropped in recent national polls, and he is now facing a barrage of ads by Mrs Clinton and her allies.

NEW YORK TIMES, BLOOMBERG

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 21, 2016, with the headline Trump fires campaign manager. Subscribe