Personality Omarosa Manigault has been appointed director of African-American outreach for Donald Trump. NBC/USAToday
With the latest figures showing Black American support for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump at an all-time low, campaign officials have reached out to a famous ally for a boost.
“The Apprentice” star Omarosa Manigault, hailed as one of the greatest reality television villains of all time, is now director of African-American outreach for the real estate tycoon.
Manigault shared the news in an interview with MSNBC from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I am proud to serve in that role,” she told host Craig Melvin Monday. “It is a very difficult time for our country. But the good thing that I know, is that I know Donald Trump as a friend, I know his heart. I’ve known him for 13 years. You may read the headlines; I know his heart…and I know what he can do in that role.”
She challenged this month’s NBC News-Wall Street Journal-Marist poll, which indicated that 0 percent of Black voters in her home state of Ohio would back the polarizing candidate.
“I’m just wondering who they called because those numbers would be flawed…I just spent an amazing weekend with African-Americans for Trump — about 300 of them,” the one-time Al Gore staffer said.
It is the second position she has taken on to help her former boss’ diversity problem. Manigault also serves as vice-president of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump.
The Howard University alum has faced heavy criticism for her steadfast support of Trump throughout his controversial presidential bid. Last December, amid growing backlash over repeated incidents of racial violence at campaign rallies, Manigault — who is an ordained minister — joined a group of Black pastors for a highly publicized conference at the Trump Towers in New York City. There, faith leaders from around the country confronted Trump on his perceived lack of concern toward minority issues.
The meeting was slammed by many, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, as a ruse.
“They should have a real meeting or admit that they are just props in a Trump play or Trump presser or a Trump photo op,” Sharpton told the New York Post at the time.
In March, Manigault appeared to defend the assaults on protesters at Trump rallies, telling MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, “You have a right to get into a closed, private event, and you get what’s coming to you. I do not condone violence, but if you go into an environment where you’re interrupting 13, 14 times, do you expect a hug or kumbaya?”
