Donald Trump’s top political adviser says he ‘fired Trump’

By Dana Bash and MJ Lee CNN

9 years ago

In an interview with CNN‘s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, Donald Trump–who created one of the most memorable moments of the 2016 campaign so far by sharing rival Lindsey Graham‘s cell phone number on national television–suggested he would shift his rhetoric as president. (CNN)

Donald Trump’s campaign said Saturday it has fired top political adviser Roger Stone — who promptly said he had quit.

“Mr. Trump fired Roger Stone last night. We have a tremendously successful campaign and Roger wanted to use the campaign for his own personal publicity. He has had a number of articles about him recently and Mr. Trump wants to keep the focus of the campaign on how to Make America Great Again,” a campaign spokesperson told CNN.

Stone, however, told CNN that he quit, and provided what he said was his resignation letter.

“Unfortunately, the current controversies involving personalities and provocative media fights have reached such a high volume that it has distracted attention from your platform and overwhelmed your core message. With this current direction of the candidacy, I no longer can remain involved in your campaign,” the letter says.

Stone added: “I care about you as a friend and wish you well. Be assured I will continue to be vocal and active in the national debate to ensure our nation does not again turn to the failed and distrusted Bush/Clinton families.”

Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, said the team never saw Stone’s letter. For his part, Stone tweeted Saturday afternoon that he “fired Trump.”

“Sorry @realDonaldTrump didn’t fire me- I fired Trump. Diasagree [sic] with diversion to food fight with @megynkelly away core issue messages,” the tweet read.

Matt Mackowiak, a Republican political consultant and close friend of Stone’s, told CNN that Stone was deeply disappointed with Trump’s debate performance Thursday.

Stone, who helped with Trump’s debate preparations, had hoped that the candidate would stay focused and discipline, sticking largely to issues like illegal immigration and trade. Instead, Stone felt Trump had taken the debate to a “circus-like place.”

The working relationship between Stone and Trump became further strained when Trump made inflammatory comments about Fox News host Megyn Kelly Friday evening in an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon.

“Calling into CNN and making outrageous comments about Megyn Kelly and making it even more of a circus than it already is, Roger just felt like he couldn’t stand by him,” Mackowiak said.

Mackowiak also said Stone had planned to announce his resignation Saturday night, and when Trump got word, the candidate chose to fire him.