Kellyanne Conway reportedly turned down Trump White House press secretary, communications chief jobs

Kellyanne Conway took over as manager of President-elect Donald Trump's campaign in August, then steered Trump to improbable victory in November, but she apparently won't follow him into the White House. That's not because she wasn't invited, The Associated Press says. "Trump is said to have offered Conway a choice of White House jobs — either press secretary or communications director," report AP's Julie Pace and Catherine Lucey. "But people with knowledge of Conway's plans say she is more interested in serving as an outside political adviser, akin to the role President Barack Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe played following the 2008 election."

Conway is advising Trump during his transition, both behind the scenes and on cable TV — most recently calling Trump's possible pick of Mitt Romney as secretary of state a "betrayal" of Trump's supporters.

"Three people close to the transition team said Trump had been aware that Conway planned to voice her opinion, both on Twitter and in television interviews," AP reports. "They disputed reports that Trump was furious at her and suggested his decision to consider additional candidates instead highlighted her influence." Trump is holding a second meeting with Romney on Tuesday.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up