Breaking news out of Trump Tower this morning. Pollster Kellyanne Conway and Breitbart’s Bannon are now running the Trump campaign:
NEWS, first reported by @WSJ: Breitbart's Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway are now running the Trump campaign… Confirmed by WaPo
— Robert Costa (@costareports) August 17, 2016
Donald Trump hands Kellyanne Conway, Steve Bannon new roles in campaign https://t.co/iDDJoX3DFm
— Roy A. Butta (@RoyButta) August 17, 2016
It sounds like Manafort is still on board, but in a diminished role:
Big changes on the Trump campaign. Manafort’s role reduced. Steve Bannon of Brietbart and DC pollster Kellyanne Conway in charge.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson997) August 17, 2016
Here’s the release from team Trump:
(New York, NY) August 17th, 2016 – Donald J. Trump today announced that Breitbart News Executive Chairman Stephen K. Bannon has been appointed CEO, temporarily stepping down from his role with Breitbart News to work full-time on Mr. Trump’s campaign in a new position designed to bolster the business-like approach of Mr. Trump’s campaign. In addition, nationally respected pollster and Republican campaign strategist Kellyanne Conway, Founder and President of The Polling Company, Inc./WomanTrend, a privately held, woman-owned corporation, has been promoted to Campaign Manager. Paul Manafort will remain as Campaign Chairman and Chief Strategist.
“I have known Steve and Kellyanne both for many years. They are extremely capable, highly qualified people who love to win and know how to win,” said Mr. Trump. “I believe we’re adding some of the best talents in politics, with the experience and expertise needed to defeat Hillary Clinton in November and continue to share my message and vision to Make America Great Again. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to win this election, and ultimately become President because our country cannot afford four more years of the failed Obama-Clinton policies which have endangered our financial and physical security.”
These announcements come at a time of significant growth for Mr. Trump’s campaign, with the first major TV ad buy of the general election slated to start later this week and with additional top-flight operatives joining the movement on a near-daily basis.
Mr. Bannon, once recognized by Bloomberg Politics as the “most dangerous political operative in America,” will oversee the campaign staff and operations in addition to strategic oversight of major campaign initiatives in addition to working with Mr. Manafort. Mr. Bannon, who goes by Steve, holds a Masters in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Prior to joining Breitbart News, Mr. Bannon was an Officer in the U.S. Navy and also owned an investment bank that he sold to Societe Generale.
Ms. Conway, a highly sought-after pollster, will work on messaging and travel frequently with Mr. Trump, while working closely with Mr. Bannon and Mr. Manafort on all aspects of the campaign moving forward.
Paul Manafort, Campaign Chairman added, “It is imperative we continue to expand our team with top-tier talent. Steve and Kellyanne are respected professionals who believe in Mr. Trump and his message and will undoubtedly help take the campaign to new levels of success.”
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