Paul Manafort left Donald Trump's presidential effort on Friday because "he was asked," campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said.
"He was asked and he indeed tendered his resignation," Conway told WABC Radio host Rita Cosby in an interview. "Mr. Trump accepted his resignation and wished him well and thanked him for his service.
"I think it was a mutual decision, to be frank with you," she continued. "The conversations that I participated in, it was a mutual and a very mutually respectful decision."
Manafort, 67, was named Trump's campaign chairman in late March. He was effectively replaced on Tuesday by Breitbart News executive chairman Steve Bannon, who was appointed chief executive.
Conway, a pollster who has been serving as a top adviser to the Republican nominee, was promoted to campaign manager.
Manafort's lobbying ties to Ukraine have also been the subject of news reports in recent days and have been seen as a distraction to the campaign. He had taken over Trump's bid after Corey Lewandowski was fired after clashing with the nominee's children.
Conway told Cosby that it was "unlikely" that Manafort's position would be filled.
"That's unlikely — or I should say it’s not completely certain," Conway said. "We’ve got a CEO, Steve Bannon. I’m the campaign manager.
"We have a great executive team."
She added that the White House announced Friday that President Barack Obama was visiting flood-ravaged Louisiana on Tuesday solely because Trump and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence toured Baton Rouge earlier in the day.
"I think so — and you know how you’ll know Rita? Pay very close attention to what President Obama says," Conway said.
"Sure, he’s going to show compassion and talk to them and help them and pledge aid to them.
"But I’ll bet you he is going to either mention Donald Trump or not mention him by name, but refer to by saying, 'and others want to come here for photo ops and distractions,' and I’m here to help."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.