Paul Manafort to take on expanded role in Donald Trump campaign
Donald Trump is expanding the role for one of his campaign's chief advisers, Paul Manafort, the campaign confirms to CBS News.
Manafort, who was initially hired last month as Trump's "convention manager" when the threat of a contested Republican convention in July still loomed, will now step up as the campaign's chairman and chief strategist.
The promotion for Manafort, however, will not be a demotion for Trump's current campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who will continue to handle the day-to-day operations.
Thus far in Trump's campaign, Manafort has been in charge of rebuilding the New York businessman's relationship with the Republican party -- a role for which Manafort seems ideally suited, considering his experience working under several GOP establishment figures. In the past, the campaign vet has worked under former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Manafort's efforts seem to be working: Just last week, Trump huddled with top GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill -- a meeting that, according to Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus, was a "very positive step toward party unity." And shortly after the closed-door gathering at the RNC, Trump inked a joint fundraising deal with the national party.
But some of Manafort's moves in the Trump campaign have also raised questions.
In April, Manafort promised RNC committee members during a private meeting in Florida that Trump was playing "a part" in the primary election cycle, and that Trump's "image is going to change" to one that gives off a more presidential air.
But just one day after the details of the meeting leaked, Trump contradicted Manafort's assurances, telling supporters in Waterbury, Connecticut: "Paul [Manafort] was down in Florida and he said, 'You know, Donald might be changing a little bit over a period of time and he, maybe he'll tone it down, maybe he won't...But who knows what happens?' I sort of don't like toning it down."
Manafort's new duties with the campaign will take effect just as Trump, as the GOP's presumptive nominee, ramps up his general election efforts.
Trump returns to the campaign trail Thursday in New Jersey, where he is attending a fundraiser for his surrogate and former rival, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and the state's Republican party.
Manafort was in Washington, D.C. Thursday meeting with GOP leaders.
CBS News' Sopan Deb contributed to this report.