Fired? Reports Say Omarosa’s Departure Had More ‘Drama’ Than WH Described

Omarosa Manigault, director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, listens to Vice President Mike Pence speak during a listening session with the historically black colleges and universities ... Omarosa Manigault, director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, listens to Vice President Mike Pence speak during a listening session with the historically black colleges and universities at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) MORE LESS
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Omarosa Manigault Newman’s resignation from President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday unfolded more like an anecdote from her days as a reality show contestant than the amicable departure the White House described, according to several reports.

“Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement to pool reporters. “Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service.”

American Urban Radio Networks’ April Ryan reported, citing unnamed sources, that Manigault Newman’s departure contained rather more “drama” than the White House’s account suggested.

The New York Times’ Yamiche Alcindor also reported, citing unnamed sources, that security escorted Manigault Newman out of the White House.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday afternoon, citing an unnamed White House official, that Manigault Newman was “physically dragged and escorted off the campus,” referring to White House grounds.

Ryan said in an interview on CNN later Wednesday that White House chief of staff John Kelly was “tired of all the drama” related to Manigault Newman.

She described Manigault Newman as “a mood changer” for Trump.

“She could get in his ear some kind of way, he could be happy, and then all of a sudden she points something out and his whole mood would change,” Ryan said. “He would lash out.”

Ryan said there “were concerns” about how Manigault Newman brought members of her bridal party to the White House in April for a photo shoot and tour “when she wasn’t supposed to.”

She said another of Kelly’s differences of opinion with Manigault Newman was “being Omarosa” and “not knowing what she’s doing.”

“What I’m hearing from many sources is that Gen. Kelly confronted her, she was very vulgar, she was cursing, very animated, and they worked out a negotiation for her to leave January 20th,” Ryan said. “That didn’t sit well with her.”

Ryan said Manigault Newman’s assistant was “fired,” and that Manigault Newman asked Kelly whether Trump was aware of the situation. According to Ryan, Kelly told Manigault Newman that Trump “signed off” on her departure.

“She said, ‘I wanted to call the President,’ and Gen. Kelly said, ‘This is not going to the principal’s office. It’s done,'” Ryan said.

According to Ryan, Manigault Newman then tried to enter the White House residence to visit Trump.

“A little later on, she tried to go see the President. She tried to go into the residence,” she said. “And mind you, Gen. Kelly has cut off her walk-in access to go into the Oval Office and things of that nature. Security alerted Gen. Kelly, he came back down, told the Secret Service to take her out of there. She was escorted off the property.”

Ryan said she “can’t see” Manigault Newman “filling out” the remainder of the time before her scheduled departure after Tuesday night’s events.

“It was very ugly,” she said. “It was high drama last evening, from what I’m hearing.”

Manigault Newman worked in the communications department of President Donald Trump’s administration, and previously served as a scheduler in the office of then-Vice President Al Gore.

A former contestant on “The Apprentice,” where she was repeatedly fired, Manigault Newman had an adversarial relationship with the press, and Ryan in particular, long before the White House announced her departure on Wednesday.

During Trump’s campaign, she worked on African-American outreach, and made a notable appearance in a PBS documentary where she claimed all Trump’s detractors would “have to bow down” if he won the presidency.

Ryan in February said that Manigault Newman “physically intimidated” her during one encounter and claimed the White House had “dossiers” of negative information on several journalists, including Ryan.

“She stood right in my face like she was going to hit me,” Ryan told the Washington Post. “I said, ‘You better back up.’”

“My comment: Fake news!” Manigault Newman responded.

A Secret Service spokesperson on Tuesday referred TPM’s questions about Manigault Newman’s departure to the White House, which declined to answer on the record.

This post has been updated.

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