Lewandowski: My role has not changed

Donald Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski brushed off reports that he’s being sidelined by the addition of high-profile new hires that are well-connected within the Republican world. 

{mosads}Within the past few months, Trump has brought on former Scott Walker campaign manager Rick Wiley and GOP delegate expert Paul Manafort. Politico also reported on Monday that he has brought on delegate expert and lawyer William McGinley.

Those recent hires, all at the top levels of the presidential campaign, have led to speculation that Lewandowski is being sidelined in favor of those with the necessary experience needed for a floor battle in the event of a contested Republican National Convention in July. Politico’s report on the moves cited Trump campaign sources who told the paper that the moves are alienating Lewandowski and his loyalists.

But Lewandowski denied that characterization to The Hill in a brief interview. 

“We are growing this campaign in order to make sure we have a team that will allow us to compete against Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton in November,” he said. 

“Bringing additional people into the campaign has always been part of the strategy, and my role hasn’t changed at all.” 

The new hires all have presidential experience at a time when Trump has been struggling to successfully navigate the organizational requirements of a campaign. While he’s won significantly more races than any rival, he’s been on the losing end of fights for the loyalties of Republican National Committee delegates that could come back to haunt him at a contested convention.  

Stuart Jolly, the campaign’s national field director, resigned on Monday in another move that raised concerns about a campaign shake-up. 

Lewandowski praised Jolly’s work and noted that the campaign has spent far less than its rivals. 

“We have been the smallest and leanest of all the presidential campaigns this cycle, and now it’s time to grow and grow to be successful. The narrative that the media wants to perpetuate is, ‘Wow, everybody who has been there is being shoved out.’ That’s not the case,” he said. 

“Donald Trump has won 21 states going into today. He’s a clear front-runner. We are now bringing in additional people to make sure we can go and be successful at first securing the nomination and ultimately winning the presidency.”