Trump appoints new election campaign chief

US President Donald Trump’s long awaited campaign shake-up re-arranged some big job titles but did not affected its most influential figure – his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Rarely seen in the campaign’s Washington headquarters, the senior adviser was fittingly absent when campaign manager Brad Parscale surrendered his title to one-time deputy Bill Stepien.

Facing strong electoral headwinds, it was Trump who demoted Parscale and elevated Stepien. Parscale’s demotion indicates a willingness to shake things up as coronavirus blocks Trump from holding his trademark rallies as he faces polls showing him significantly trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Some Republican Party officials and outside allies have been encouraging Trump to listen to a broader array of political advice. That process began when he first elevated Stepien to senior adviser and returned Jason Miller to the campaign last month.

Parscale was Kushner’s handpicked choice of but the president’s son-in-law was among those who have soured on him in recent weeks.

On Trump’s re-election chances, Stepien said: “We have a better team, better voter information, a better ground game, better fundraising, and most importantly, a better candidate with a better record. With 109 days left, our goal is clear – to win each day we have left until election day.”

Some Republicans have felt the campaign has been failing to negatively define Biden. The former vice-president has risen in the polls as he largely stayed out of sight while Trump’ standing spiralled during a pandemic that has killed nearly 140,000 Americans and put tens of millions out of work.