A businessman being investigated by federal officials for possibly engaging in private discussions with Russia is no longer working with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Trump’s campaign manager said Sunday.
Carter Page, a former Merrill Lynch investment banker in Moscow, hasn’t participated in Trump’s foreign policy briefings for some time, Kellyanne Conway said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“He’s not part of our national security or foreign policy briefings we do now at all,” said Conway, who was hired in August. “He’s certainly not [been part] since I became campaign manager.”
Yahoo News reported Friday that U.S. intelligence officials are investigating whether Page is privately communicating with senior Russian officials, including discussing whether the U.S. might lift economic sanctions if Trump becomes president.
The report feeds into concerns about Trump’s warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his financial ties to multiple Russian investors and his generally favorable views toward Russia.
Conway didn’t mention Sunday when the Trump campaign had severed ties with Page, saying only that he is not participating in any briefings at the campaign’s Trump Tower headquarters in New York City and isn’t part of the campaign she has run since mid-August.
“If he’s out there talking to Russian officials, he’s not doing so on behalf of the Trump campaign in any way, shape or form?,” host Jake Tapper asked Conway.
“He’s certainly not authorized to do that,” Conway said.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has sought to capitalize off the concerns, charging that Trump is unduly influenced by his financial ties with Russia and would allow opportunities for financial gain to dictate his foreign policy decisions.
Her campaign released a new television ad Sunday that says Trump has refused to release his tax returns because they’ll shed light on his dealings with Russian investors.
“American policy on Russia is in direct conflict with Trump’s bottom line,” the ad says.
