Ben Carson’s Ex-Campaign Manager Now Advising Trump’s Aides

Ben Carson for President Campaign Manager Barry Bennett speaks with the Associated Press prior to announcing that the campaign raised a reported $31million since Ben Carson announced his White House bid in May at the... Ben Carson for President Campaign Manager Barry Bennett speaks with the Associated Press prior to announcing that the campaign raised a reported $31million since Ben Carson announced his White House bid in May at the Carson campaign headquarters in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) MORE LESS
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The former campaign manager for Ben Carson’s presidential bid is now serving as an informal advisor to rival Donald Trump’s campaign, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski confirmed to the Post that Barry Bennett is acting as an unpaid advisor to Trump’s senior aides. Bennett’s assistance comes as team Trump begins looking ahead to a possible general-election campaign.

“I believe Trump is going to win and it’s important that his campaign is ready for everything that is coming,” Bennett told the newspaper. “I’m here to do what is needed.”

Bennett abruptly ditched Carson’s flailing campaign on New Year’s Eve, citing irreconcilable differences with Armstrong Williams, a Carson advisor who has no official role with the campaign but often serves as a spokesperson for the retired neurosurgeon.

Carson’s communications director, deputy campaign manager, finance chair and one top fundraiser have also quit the campaign. In early January, all five paid staffers working for a Carson super PAC in New Hampshire left the organization to campaign for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) instead.

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