Ex-‘Apprentice’ contestant Omarosa leaving White House
WASHINGTON — True to form, former Apprentice star Omarosa is ending her time at the White House with a dose of drama.
Omarosa Manigault Newman, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent African-American supporters, was escorted off the White House grounds after resigning her post as a presidential adviser, according to two White House officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that Manigault Newman’s resignation is effective Jan. 20, one year after Trump’s inauguration. “We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service,” Sanders said.
The president also bid her farewell, tweeting: “Thank you Omarosa for your service! I wish you continued success.”
Manigault Newman was an assistant to the president and director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, working on outreach to various constituency groups. But the office languished under her watch and White House chief of staff John Kelly had indicated that changes were forthcoming — including her dismissal, according to the two officials, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about personnel matters.
Better known by just her first name, Manigault Newman was escorted from the White House complex Tuesday night but was allowed to offer her resignation.
The U.S. Secret Service tweeted Wednesday that it was not involved in her termination or her escort from the grounds.
The agency confirmed that a pass granting her access to the complex had been deactivated.