 Omarosa Manigault Newman |
Omarosa Manigault Newman, communications director for the White House Office of Public Liaison and frequent contestant on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" reality TV show franchise, is leaving her position.
"Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities," the White House said in a statement. "We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service."
Newman's ties with the President go back to 2004, when she was a contestant on NBC's “The Apprentice”. That was followed by appearances on “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008 and “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013. She also starred in “Donald J. Trump Presents: The Ultmate Merger,” a reality show in which 12 bachelors vied for her affections. Those performances resulted in her being named TV’s number-one bad girl by E! Television.
Her political experience started when she worked as a scheduling correspondent for Vice President Al Gore. She subsequently held several other staff positions during the Clinton administration.
The Trump campaign appointed Newman director of African-American outreach in July 2016 and she served as a member of the Trump transition team following the election.
Her tenure at the White House has not been without controversy. Following her April 8 wedding at the Trump International Hotel, Newman brought members of her 39-person bridal party to the White House for an extended wedding photo shoot, to the surprise of senior aides and security officials. She was banned from posting pictures from the shoot online, due to security and ethical concerns. In addition, she is rumored to have had an exceptionally difficult working relationship with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.
Newman's resignation follows the announced departure of deputy national security adviser Dina Powell.
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