WASHINGTON – The White House says Omarosa Manigault Newman -- one of President Donald Trump's most prominent African-American supporters -- plans to leave the administration next month.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Manigault Newman's resignation is effective Jan. 20, one year since Mr. Trump's inauguration.
"Thank you Omarosa for your service! I wish you continued success," Mr. Trump tweeted Wednesday night.
Manigault Newman's decision comes at the start of what's expected to be a round of departures heading into the new year. The White House said last week that deputy national security adviser Dina Powell will leave the administration early next year.
There's also another version of the story being reported. American Urban Radio Networks reporter April Ryan on Wednesday said sources told her Chief of Staff John Kelly fired Manigault Newman, and that she was escorted out. The report also said Manigault Newman was cursing and vulgar.
That was not what happened, according to a News4Jax source who was there. The source, who was with Manigault Newmna at the White House, categorically denies any of that report of her firing, being escorted out or losing her temper.
Manigault Newman is married to Jacksonville Pastor John Newman. She's a a former contestant on Mr. Trump's reality TV show "The Apprentice." She joined the administration as director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, working on outreach to various constituency groups.
Critics speculate that she did not get along with Kelly or former Chief of Staff Reince Preibus.
News4Jax spoke with Manigault Newman Monday night, and she did not say she was resigning.
She did say that she had given the President a one-year commitment to work in the administration. She also said she planned to keep that commitment.