White House aide of ‘Apprentice’ fame turns in resignation
WASHINGTON — Omarosa Manigault Newman, who achieved a measure of fame playing a villain on “The Apprentice” and cemented a relationship with President Donald Trump that led to a White House appointment, will be leaving her position in January, the administration said Wednesday.
Newman “resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House press secretary, said in a statement. “Her departure will not be effective until Jan. 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service.”
One of the president’s prominent African-American supporters, Newman served as director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison. But the division, which was absent a clear leader for most of the year, atrophied with her in a key position.
Two people close to the administration said that Newman neglected to find enough attendees for a Black History Month event early in the administration, for instance. And the office — which is key for building coalitions — became seen as what one person close to the White House described as the “island of misfit toys,” where people who couldn’t be slotted into other roles were sent.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Newman referred a reporter to Sanders’ statement about her departure.
Newman was not wellliked by some White House advisers, including Reince Priebus, the former chief of staff; Jared Kushner, the president’s sonin-law and senior adviser; and John Kelly, the current chief of staff, according to multiple White House officials. Early in his tenure, Kelly identified the public liaison office as a major problem that he had to contend with.
It is not unusual for presidential appointees to leave after the first year of an administration. Other members of Trump’s administration have already left or were asked to resign amid controversy.
Armstrong Williams, a conservative media personality, said he spoke to Newman on Wednesday morning and that she sounded both “torn” and “relieved.”
“She has enemies, and they want to put her in the worst kind of light because they felt she was a polarizing figure, and now they get a chance,” Williams said of Newman.