Omarosa Manigault Newman was fired by Donald Trump on The Apprentice, but she says she’s quitting the White House.
The former reality TV star, whose duties in the Trump administration were never especially clear, has handed in her resignation, according to a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But CNN White House correspondent April Ryan says White House chief of staff John Kelly fired Omarosa, and that it didn’t go well.
According to multiple sources Omarosa did not resign. She was even escorted out of he building and off campus.
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) December 13, 2017
Sources say General Kelly did the firing and Omarosa is alleged to have acted very vulgar and cursed a lot and said she helped elect President Trump. The word is a General Kelly had it and got rid of her.
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) December 13, 2017
I heard there was drama and she was escorted out of the building and off campus
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) December 13, 2017
Asked about Manigault Newman’s departure, Sanders issued a brief statement reading ““Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities. Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service.”
Regardless of how she left, Manigault Newman (who is best known by her first name alone) was an unusual choice for a White House job. Her title was formally communications director for the Office of Public Liaison, earning her $179,700 per year. But the duties of that job were never clearly defined and she didn’t make many friends in the West Wing, according to the Daily Beast. She did manage, however, to remain in close contact with Trump during throughout the tenure of her role.
When Kelly cut back Omarosa’s direct access to Trump, the president would still call her on the phone directly, even past traditional work hours. It’s unclear if Trump was made aware that she would be leaving the White House.
Her most visible moments during her time in Washington came in April, when she and members of her 39-person bridal party used the White House for a wedding photo shoot. It’s unclear if she secured permission for the shoot. She was forbidden from posting the photos online due to ethical and security concerns.
Omarosa remained one of Trump’s most visible African-American supporters, a key ally throughout racial tensions from the past year, such as those in Charlottesville, Va.
What she plans to do next is unknown. Sanders only said the resignation comes so Omarosa can “pursue other opportunities.” Jan. 20, said Sanders, will be her last official day.