Parscale ouster weakens Trump campaign

Bloomberg

Donald Trump has insisted for weeks that he is in good shape to win a second term in November. But the president acknowledged the trouble he is facing by reshaping his campaign leadership, ousting manager Brad Parscale.
Trump announced in a Facebook post that Bill Stepien, the former deputy campaign manager, will now lead his re-election operation. Parscale, who had led the campaign since 2018, will remain as senior adviser for digital and data.
The shake-up comes with Trump’s political standing battered by the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 137,000 people in the US and sunk the economy, once the
pillar of the president’s case for re-election. Trump has received poor ratings for his handling of the pandemic, as well as his response to nationwide protests over police brutality, sending his poll numbers into a tailspin.
Several polls showed Trump lagging behind his November opponent Joe Biden by double digits, with one showing that
in stewardship of the economy — the one area where he had previously led the Democratic nominee — he was now trailing as well.
Trump announced hours later that Parscale was out. His son-in-law, senior adviser, Jared Kushner, had delivered the news to Parscale, who was in the White House for meetings, people familiar with the matter said.
Stepien is an ally of Kushner, who is seen as guiding the president’s political organisation. Stepien was at the White House this week for multiple meetings, including with senior staff, as well as planning discussions
on the Republican convention, according to the people.
“I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump campaign manager,” Trump said in a statement. “Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies, will remain in that role, while being a senior adviser to the campaign.”